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Report Produced: 02/26/2026 13:53 PM

Report Question ID Question Discussion Answer Year
20130113

Multiple primaries--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: How many primaries are accessioned if a patient diagnosed and treated for multiple myeloma is subsequently diagnosed with multiple large plasmacytomas involving the scalp and thorax? See Discussion

The patient was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, underwent treatment and subsequently was in remission. The patient later presented with lesions on the scalp and thorax lesions. The final diagnosis on the pathology report for the scalp lesion was multiple myeloma with plasmablastic transformation (high grade). The physician states this is an aggressive, recurrent multiple myeloma with multiple large plasmacytomas involving the scalp and thorax.

For cases diagnosed 2010 and forward, access the Hematopoietic Database at http://seer.cancer.gov/seertools/hemelymph.

Accession a single primary, multiple myeloma [9732/3] per Rule M2.

The multiple myeloma is in an advanced stage when plasma cells are being deposited on the scalp and thorax. Clinically, those plasma cells are rightly called plasmacytomas by the physician. However, the patient has a late-stage multiple myeloma causing the plasma cells/plasmacytomas. Note that under the myeloma Recurrence and Metastases section of the Heme DB it indicates that extramedullary involvement (e.g., the scalp and thorax involvement) usually indicates advanced disease. Therefore, this scenario represents a case of a single histology that is accessioned as a single primary per Rule M2.

SEER*Educate provides training on how to use the Heme Manual and DB. If you are unsure how to arrive at the answer in this SINQ question, refer to SEER*Educate to practice coding hematopoietic and lymphoid neoplasms. Review the step-by-step instructions provided for each case scenario to learn how to use the application and manual to arrive at the answer provided. https://educate.fhcrc.org/LandingPage.aspx.

 2013
20130170

MP/H Rules/Histology--Breast: What is the histology code for "invasive carcinoma of the breast, no special type" as the final diagnosis on a pathology report? See Discussion.

Recently pathology reports for breast primaries are no longer listing invasive ductal carcinoma as the histology on many cases if the treating physician calls the cancer an invasive ductal carcinoma. The pathology report (final diagnosis and synopsis) state this is invasive carcinoma, no special type.

Upon inquiry to the pathology department, the response received stated, In 2012, the WHO got rid of ductal carcinoma as a specific type. So what would have been called Invasive ductal carcinoma, Not Otherwise Specified (NOS), is now being called Invasive carcinoma, No Special Type (NST). In the new WHO classification, lobular, tubular, cribriform, mucinous, etc. are the special types. But ductal is gone.

Is this a change in terminology? Should these cases be coded as 8500/3 [ductal carcinoma, NOS] or 8010/3 [carcinoma, NOS]?

Code the histology to ductal carcinoma, NOS [8500/3] for a pathology report with a final diagnosis of "invasive carcinoma, no special type." Do not code the histology to carcinoma, NOS [8010/3].

The 4th Edition of the WHO Classification of Tumors of the Breast refers to invasive ductal carcinoma as invasive carcinoma, no special type. The ICD-O-3 code remains the same as invasive duct carcinoma [8500/3]. The next revision to the MP/H Solid Tumor Rules will clarify this issue.

2013
20130013

Reportability--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: Is Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) reportable?

MCAS has been given an ICD-9 code of 202.60 by our medical record coders. In the Progress Notes, the physicians state this is not the same as systemic mastocytosis. There is no listing for MCAS in the Hematopoietic and Lymphoid Database.

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is not a reportable neoplasm unless it is specifically stated to be a result of a mast cell proliferative disorder that is reportable.

Per our expert pathologist, MCAS is a relatively new term used for conditions in which patients experience the symptoms of mast cell mediators in the absence of an increase/proliferation of mast cells. The diagnosis of this group of disorders is based in part on a complex of symptoms and on the demonstration of no increase in mast cells. Some of these diseases are difficult to separate from mastocytosis (which is reportable). Currently, this group of disorders is not part of the systemic mastocytosis/mast cell leukemia/mast cell sarcoma spectrum.

 2013
20130059

Primary site--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: How is the primary site coded if a patient with a history of chemotherapy treated "groin" lymphoma, subsequently has bone biopsies that demonstrate diffuse large B-cell lymphoma? See Discussion.

3/2012: Patient states he has a past history of lymphoma of the "groin." A bone biopsy of the right tibia done at this facility showed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. There was no palpable lymphadenopathy on 03/2012. There is no other information available regarding the initial diagnosis except that the patient was treated with only chemotherapy.

For cases diagnosed 2010 and forward, access the Hematopoietic Database at http://seer.cancer.gov/seertools/hemelymph.

Code the primary site to C774 [inguinal lymph nodes] per Rule PH18. Code the primary site to inguinal lymph nodes [C774] when the site of lymphoma is described only as an inguinal mass. Groin lymph nodes are inguinal lymph nodes.

The diffuse large B-cell lymphoma diagnosed by right tibia biopsy is not a new primary per rule M7 because the histology of the history only case would be coded as 9590/3 [lymphoma, NOS]. No more specific histology is known for the initial diagnosis. Accession a single primary when a more specific histology [DLBCL] is diagnosed after the NOS ONLY histology when the Heme DB Multiple Primaries Calculator confirms the NOS and the more specific histology are the same primary. The right tibial involvement is not used to code the primary site because the patient had chemotherapy for this groin lymphoma prior to diagnosis of DLBCL.

SEER*Educate provides training on how to use the Heme Manual and DB. If you are unsure how to arrive at the answer in this SINQ question, refer to SEER*Educate to practice coding hematopoietic and lymphoid neoplasms. Review the step-by-step instructions provided for each case scenario to learn how to use the application and manual to arrive at the answer provided. https://educate.fhcrc.org/LandingPage.aspx..

 2013
20130134

Reportability--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: According to the hematopoietic database, systemic mastocytosis is reportable; does that include INDOLENT systemic mastocytosis (which is not listed in the list of alternative names)?

For cases diagnosed 2018 and forward, indolent systemic mastocytosis is not reportable (9741/1). Smoldering systemic mastocytosis is reportable (9741/3).

 2013
20130203 MP/H Rules/Multiple primaries--Brain and CNS: How many primaries are accessioned for a diagnosis of cerebral cavernous malformation disorder (CCM1) and MRI evidence of dozens of cavernous angiomas/malformations throughout the supra and infratentorium? See Discussion.

9/9/11 IMP: Presymptomatic cerebral cavernous malformation disorder (CCM1).

9/9/11 Brain MRI: FINDINGS: Total of 14 foci. 2 largest in rt frontal lobe. In rt frontal lobe, total of 4 foci. Of remaining 10 small foci, 4 are in cerebellum, 1 in rightward pons, 1 in lt temporal lobe, 1 in lt occipital lobe, 1 in rt occipital lobe, 1 in posterior rt temporal lobe, & 1 in lt frontal lobe. Lesions in bilateral occipital lobes & lt temporal lobe are associated w/weighted signal suggestive of hemosiderin & are most c/w additional cavernous malformations. IMPRESSION: Just over a dozen scattered foci of gradient susceptibility throughout supra & infratentorium.

9/13/13 Brain MRI. Clinical diagnosis: Cerebral cavernous angiomas. FINDINGS: Approximately a dozen scattered foci. 2 largest in rt frontal lobe. Remaining small foci identified w/in cerebellum, rightward pons, rt occipital lobe, rt temporal lobe, & lt frontal lobe. Many are less conspicuous than in 2011 & a few that were present on prior study are not evident on current exam. This is likely due to differences in technique. IMPRESSION: Redemonstration of numerous scattered foci c/w cavernous malformations.

This case is not reportable as is. The clinical diagnosis on the 9/13/13 MRI was "cerebral cavernous angiomas," but the final impression on the MRI was a re-demonstration of the numerous scattered foci consistent with cavernous malformations seen on the previous 9/9/11 MRI. There was no reportable statement of cavernous angioma. Cavernous malformation is not a reportable neoplasm; it has no valid ICD-O-3 code.

Vascular tumors of the CNS are reportable when they arise in the dura or parenchyma of the CNS. When they arise in blood vessels or bone, they are not reportable. Do not report vascular tumors when there is not enough information to determine whether they arise in the dura or parenchyma or elsewhere.

2013
20130007

MP/H Rules/Histology--Colon: What rule applies and how is histology coded if a colon tumor is composed of moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine tumor, grade 1 (G1)? See Discussion.

Intestine, large -- moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma

Pathological stage: IIIA (T2 N1a Mx) -- Neuroendocrine tumor, G1

Addendum comment: The results of the immunochemical study are compatible with a neuroendocrine tumor, G1.

For cases diagnosed 2007 or later, the correct histology code is 8244/3 [composite carcinoid]. The steps used to arrive at this decision are:

Step 1: Open the Multiple Primary and Histology Coding Rules Manual. Choose one of the three formats (i.e., flowchart, matrix or text). Go to the Colon Histology rules because site specific rules have been developed for this primary.

Step 2: Start at the SINGLE TUMOR module, rule H1. The rules are intended to be reviewed in consecutive order within a module. Stop at rule H9. Code the histology as 8244/3 [composite carcinoid] when the diagnosis is adenocarcinoma and carcinoid tumor.

Neuroendocrine tumor, grade 1 (G1) is synonymous with carcinoid tumor [8240/3] for the purpose of rule H9.

2013
20130008 Primary site--Kidney, renal pelvis: Should primary site be coded C809 [unknown] or C649 [kidney] when a patient is diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma in a transplanted kidney? Code the primary site to C649 [kidney]. Per the SEER Manual, code the site where the neoplasm originated. There are no separate instructions for coding primary site for transplanted organs. This patient's renal cell carcinoma originated in the kidney [C649]. 2013
20130167

Multiple primaries--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: How many primaries are reported if a 2013 diagnosis of right leg skin nodules, consistent with plasmacytoma/plasma cell myeloma, follows a 3/20/07 biopsy diagnosis of multiple myeloma?

For cases diagnosed 2010 and forward, access the Hematopoietic Database at http://seer.cancer.gov/seertools/hemelymph.

Abstract this case as a single primary. Code the histology to 9732/2 [multiple myeloma].

Review the Abstractor Notes section in the Heme DB for multiple myeloma. It states that in multiple myeloma there is generalized bone marrow involvement and that extramedullary involvement is diagnostic of advanced disease. This is a case of advanced multiple myeloma.

 2013
20130056 Primary site/Histology--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: How are the site and histology fields coded if a bone marrow biopsy shows, "B-cell lymphoma, unclassifiable, with features intermediate between diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and Burkitt lymphoma," but the patient has no palpable lymphadenopathy and no scans were done? See Discussion. Should the primary site be C779 or C421? Is the correct histology 9684/3 [malignant lymphoma, large B-cell, diffuse, immunoblastic, NOS]?

For cases diagnosed 2010 and forward, access the Hematopoietic Database at http://seer.cancer.gov/seertools/hemelymph.

Code the primary site to C421 [bone marrow] and the histology to 9680/3 [diffuse large B-cell lymphoma] per Rule PH26. B-cell lymphoma, unclassifiable, with features intermediate between diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and Burkitt lymphoma is listed under Alternative Names section of the Heme BD for DLBCL [9680/3]. This patient has bone marrow involvement only. The Note for Rule PH26 instructs one to code the primary site to the bone marrow when all physical exams or work-up were negative for lymph node, tissue, or organ involvement OR no other work-up was done.

The histology is not coded 9684/3 [malignant lymphoma, large B-cell, diffuse, immunoblastic, NOS]. This histology code became obsolete in 1/1/2010. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, immunoblastic variant is also listed under Alternative Names section of the Heme BD for DLBCL.

SEER*Educate provides training on how to use the Heme Manual and DB. If you are unsure how to arrive at the answer in this SINQ question, refer to SEER*Educate to practice coding hematopoietic and lymphoid neoplasms. Review the step-by-step instructions provided for each case scenario to learn how to use the application and manual to arrive at the answer provided. https://educate.fhcrc.org/LandingPage.aspx.

2013