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SEER Inquiry System - Report
Produced: 10/20/2025 10:42 AM
Question 20230003
Inquiry Details
References:
2022 SEER Manual, 10-14. Ambiguous Terminology
Question:
SEER Manual/Reportability--Ambiguous Terminology: Please clarify the reportability and relevant date ranges of the following ambiguous terminology: almost certainly, most certainly, and malignant until proven otherwise. See Discussion.
Discussion:
SINQ 20180104 indicates, in the absence of further info, the terms “almost certainly” and “until proven otherwise” are NOT reportable. There is no date range provided for this answer.
SINQ 20200027 indicates, in the absence of further info, the term “most certainly” IS reportable. There is no date range provided for this answer.
SEER Program Coding and Staging Manual 2022 indicates, in the absence of further info, the terms “until proven otherwise” and “most certainly” ARE reportable.
Essentially, we are hoping for an update of SINQ 20180104 due to 2022 reportability change. Clarification to the equivalence of “almost certainly” and “most certainly” would also be helpful.
Answer:
Use the ambiguous terminology list as a guide in the absence of additional information after reviewing all available information and consulting the physician who diagnosed and/or staged the tumor.
Equivalent to "Diagnostic for" malignancy or reportable diagnosis
- most certainly carcinoma
- malignant until proven otherwise
Not Equivalent to "Diagnostic for" malignancy or reportable diagnosis
- almost certainly ("almost" conveys uncertainty in comparison to "most" as in "most certainly")
We will update SINQ 20180104.
