SEER Inquiry System - Search

Assign code 8020/3 when the histologic type specifically includes the term of poorly differentiated, dedifferentiated, undifferentiated, or anaplastic undifferentiated carcinoma along with carcinoma as terms vary depending on the primary site. When the term poorly differentiated is included in the grade section only of the pathology report or only mentions poorly differentiated carcinoma without further substantiation from a pathology report as in examples 1 and 2, do not use code 8020/3.

The histology code 8020/3 and terms may be used for selected primary sites as included in the Solid Tumor Rules, WHO Classification of Tumors series (latest versions), and the Site/Morphology Validation List including

Nasal cavity

Nasopharynx

Salivary glands

Urinary sites

Colon, rectosigmoid, rectum

Esophagus

Stomach

Gallbladder and extrahepatic bile duct

Pancreas

Thyroid

Ovary

Uterine corpus

Vagina

Uterine cervix (also referred to as unclassifiable in WHO Classification of Female Genital Tumors, 5th ed.)

For sites other than those listed, if the diagnosis is poorly differentiated carcinoma, code 8010/3 and poorly differentiated in the grade field. 

Abstract as bone metastasis for the first two examples. Abstract as both bone and brain metastasis for the third and fourth examples in the respective Mets at Diagnosis fields based on the description provided.

Use all information available in the medical record. EOD is a combination of the most precise clinical and pathological documentation of the extent of disease as instructed in the EOD 2018 General Instructions, Extent of Disease section.

EOD 2018 General Instructions, General Coding Instructions section advises to use the medical record documentation to assign EOD when there is a discrepancy between the T, N, M information and the documentation in the medical record. When there is doubt that the documentation in the medical record is complete, code the EOD corresponding to the physician staging. A discrepancy can exist within the medical record when the information in the chart is unclear, incomplete, or conflicting, for example, the TNM staging from pathology differs from the medical oncologist’s TNM staging.

In the scenario provided, use the medical oncologist stage information that takes into account imaging and exam findings. Based on the stage cT4 N3b, assign

EOD Primary Tumor: 400

Extensive skin involvement

WITHOUT a stated diagnosis of inflammatory carcinoma

WITH or WITHOUT dermal lymphatic filtration

EOD Regional Nodes: 600

Internal mammary node(s), ipsilateral, clinically apparent

(On imaging or clinical exam)

WITH axillary (level I, II, or III) lymph node(s), ipsilateral including infraclavicular

Report clear cell renal cell papillary tumor (CCRCPT), formerly classified as clear cell renal cell papillary carcinoma, and assign code 8323/3 until this new term and code (8323/1) have been adopted by standard setters.

The Kidney Solid Tumor Rules advise to code clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma as 8323/3. WHO Classification of Tumors of the Urinary System and Male Genital Organs, 4th ed., has reclassified this histology as a /1. This change has not yet been implemented and it remains reportable.

WHO Classification of Urinary and Male Genital Tumors, 5th ed., has since reclassified clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma as CCRCPT (8323/1). The name change was made because there have been no reports of metastatic events for this indolent tumor. The term clear cell renal cell papillary carcinoma is no longer recommended.

Assign the highest code with 51 as the highest and 10 the lowest when there is more than one test performed with differing results.

The SEER Manual will be updated in the 2025 release. SEER*RSA will be updated in a future release, version 3.3 in 2026, as version 3.2 has been updated for 2025.

Report severe dysplasia for selected sites. Not all high grade dysplasia and severe dysplasia are reportable. Refer to the list of examples in the SEER Manual Reportability Section and Appendix E, Reportable and Non-reportable Examples. Check also for other standard setters, state, and local reportability requirements.

High grade dysplasia, severe dysplasia, and carcinoma in situ are equivalent terms with behavior /2. Refer to ICD-O, WHO Classification of Tumors, and the SEER Solid Tumor Rules for preferred histology terms and codes. For example, WHO Classification of Head and Neck Tumors, 5th edition, states carcinoma in situ in the oral cavity is synonymous with severe dysplasia though it is not a recommended term.

Report the case when the differential diagnosis includes only reportable neoplasms in the absence of additional information. We are unable to provide general instructions for provisional diagnoses as each situation will need to be reviewed and assessed individually when no further work-up information is available.

Assign myeloid leukemia, NOS (9860/3) to the case described in the example. Assign a generic histology code because a specific histology code cannot be assigned when there are several differential diagnoses. Since the differential diagnoses include a chronic and an acute leukemia, code as myeloid leukemia, NOS since it is not clear if this is chronic or acute.

Do not report superficial CD34-positive fibroblastic tumor (8810/1) of the thigh.

WHO Classification of Soft Tissue and Bone Tumors, 5th ed., defines superficial CD34-positive fibroblastic tumor as a distinctive low-grade neoplasm of the skin and subcutis, most frequently occurring in the lower extremities, especially thigh, followed by arm, buttock, shoulder, and rarely, vulva.

Report ovarian mucinous borderline tumor with foci of multifocal intraepithelial carcinoma. The foci of intraepithelial carcinoma makes this reportable. See the list of synonyms for in situ in the SEER Manual, Behavior Code data item.

Code dexamethasone in KRd regimen (and any other regimen for multiple myeloma containing dexamethasone) as hormonal therapy. Please note that majority of the regimens for multiple myeloma are not in SEER*Rx currently.

The SEER*Rx entry for KRd regimen was updated to indicate that dexamethasone should be coded. The change was done to correct the contradiction with the SEER manual which states, "Code the hormonal agent given as part of combination chemotherapy (e.g., R-CHOP), whether it affects the cancer cells or not" and the SEER*Rx entry for dexamethasone which directs to code it for multiple myeloma.