| Report | Question ID | Question | Discussion | Answer | Year |
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20250031 | SEER Manual/Reportability/Histology: Is severe dysplasia reportable? This is commonly listed as a synonym for high grade dysplasia. Is this term "severe dysplasia" reportable in the sites where high grade dysplasia is reportable? This is listed as a synonym, but it is not clear. See Discussion.
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We are seeing cases on this in head and neck. The College of American Pathologists Oral Cancer Protocol is showing this as keratinizing dysplasia, severe (carcinoma in situ) and nonkeratinizing dysplasia, severe (carcinoma in situ). SINQ Question 20230047 shows it as reportable for head and neck. |
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. |
2025 |
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20250004 | Reportability/Histology--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: Is a diagnosis of myeloid stem cell disorder or myeloid stem cell neoplasm reportable when the differential diagnosis includes only reportable neoplasms? If so, how should histology be coded? See Discussion. |
Pathologists are increasingly using the terms "myeloid stem cell disorder" and "myeloid stem cell neoplasm" to describe reportable myeloid neoplasms. If the pathologist uses these terms and indicates the differential diagnosis includes only reportable neoplasms such as myelodysplastic syndrome, myeloproliferative neoplasm, and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), should this be accessioned as a reportable primary? Example: The 01/2023 peripheral blood shows high grade myeloid stem cell disorder, and the differential diagnosis includes chronic myelomonocytic leukemia(CMML) and AML. The patient refused further work-up and expired several days later. No additional information is available. |
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. |
2025 |
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20250007 | Reportability/Behavior: Our registry collects some borderline (behavior /1) cases that are not reportable to SEER or any other standard setters. Can we assign a behavior code of /2 to these cases? |
Do not assign a behavior code of /2 to these cases unless you have a way to flag them so that they are not reported to the standard setters as in situ cases. Work with your state central registry to ensure that these cases are not unintentionally included in state case submission. |
2025 | |
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20250017 | SEER Manual/First Course Therapy--Neoadjuvant Therapy: How is Neoadjuvant Therapy--Treatment Effect coded for bladder cancers? The College of American Pathologists (CAP) Protocol for the Examination of Cystectomy Specimens From Patients With Carcinoma of the Urinary Bladder does not provide a clear distinction between the SEER site-specific codes for Neoadjuvant Therapy Treatment Effect for All Other Schemas, codes 2, 3, and 4, as compared to the CAP Treatment Effect Post Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy (BCG not included) categories. See Discussion. |
CAP Protocol for the Examination of Cystectomy Specimens From Patients With Carcinoma of the Urinary Bladder/Treatment Effect Post Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy (BCG not included) selections o No known presurgical neoadjuvant therapy o Complete response: Absence of histologically identifiable residual cancer cells and extensive fibrosis of the tumor bed after presurgical neoadjuvant therapy (TRG1) o Strong response: Predominant fibrosis of the tumor bed, with residual cancer cells occupying less than 50% of this area (TRG2) o Weak or no response: Residual cancer cells occupying ≥50% of the tumor bed or absence of regressive changes (TRG3) o Other (specify): _________________ SEER Coding Instruction for Site-Specific Codes for Neoadjuvant Therapy Treatment Effect - Schemas: All Other Schemas selections 0 Neoadjuvant therapy not given/no known presurgical therapy 1 Complete pathological response Present: No viable cancer cells/no residual invasive carcinoma identified Residual in situ carcinoma only 2 Near complete pathological response Present: Single cells or rare small groups of invasive cancer cells 3 Partial or minimal pathological response Present: Residual invasive cancer with evident tumor regression, but more than single cells or rare small groups of cancer cells 4 Poor or no pathological response Absent: Extensive residual cancer with no evident tumor regression 6 Neoadjuvant therapy completed and surgical resection performed, response not documented or unknown Cannot be determined 7 Neoadjuvant therapy completed and planned surgical resection not performed 9 Unknown if neoadjuvant therapy performed Unknown if planned surgical procedure performed after completion of neoadjuvant therapy
Death Certificate only (DCO) |
Code Neoadjuvant Therapy--Treatment Effect using the surgical pathology report only. Carefully review the pathology report gross description and comments to assist with assignment of codes. Review of neoadjuvant therapy data items is currently underway. |
2025 |
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20250018 | Solid Tumor Rules/Histology/Behavior--Brain and CNS: How are histology and behavior coded when the Integrated Diagnosis is "Meningioma, WHO Grade 2," and the Histological Classification is "Meningioma with elevated mitotic activity, hypercellularity, necrosis, and sheeting architecture?" See Discussion. |
We are increasingly seeing pathologists use this terminology to describe WHO G2 meningiomas, but the histology term "Atypical meningioma" is not being used, and a more specific "Histological Classification" of other WHO Grade 2 meningiomas (i.e., chordoid or clear cell meningioma) is not given. Can the combination of meningioma, WHO Grade 2 plus the histological classification listing multiple features of an atypical meningioma be used to code morphology to 9539/1? Or is this just a meningioma, NOS 9530/0 despite the WHO Grade 2 classification? |
Code meningioma, NOS (9530/0) based on the integrated diagnosis and histological classification. WHO Classification of Central Nervous System Tumors, 5th edition, states that brain invasion is a criterion for the diagnosis of CNS WHO grade 2 meningioma, and there is no statement of brain invasion, atypical meningioma, or other WHO grade 2 lesions. WHO has not proposed behavior codes based on WHO grade alone. |
2025 |
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20250013 | Solid Tumor Rules/Multiple Primaries--Testis: How many primaries and what M Rule applies when metastatic seminoma is diagnosed greater than 40 years after a left testicular teratoma with yolk sac tumor and embryonal carcinoma? See Discussion. |
The patient was diagnosed with a left testis primary in the early 1980s that did not include a seminoma component per the information available. The slides were not available for review. In 2024, the patient was found to have a metastatic seminoma involving multiple pelvic lymph nodes and the prostate. The right testicular ultrasound was negative. The managing physician noted this was both a "relapsed seminoma" and a "Stage IIC seminoma." Should the new diagnosis of metastatic seminoma be accessioned as a new primary based on the histology differences? Or is this situation similar to SINQ 20160073 in which this is a single primary even though the metastases are a distinctly different histology? |
Without evidence of a new testicular tumor, record this as a single primary now with metastatic disease (seminoma). The seminoma may not have been identified in the original tumor and treatment was based on the histologies found. This allowed the seminoma to metastasize. |
2025 |
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20250001 | Reportability/Histology--Endometrium: Are the following terms and diagnoses synonymous with endometrioid intraepithelial neoplasia (EIN) and therefore reportable? 1. Atypical glandular epithelium 2. Isthmic-type mucosa with focal severe atypia 3. Simple hyperplasia without atypia 4. EIN/complex atypical hyperplasia (EIN/CAH) or focal EIN/CAH (on biopsy but the resection pathology or operative note states no EIN/CAH/atypical hyperplasia) |
We have questions regarding reportability of some terms/diagnoses after a review of EIN cases back to 2021. While some seem synonymous with EIN, others have different terms in the pathology report though the physician is treating as if they have the diagnosis. 1. Atypical glandular epithelium Scenario: Endometrium biopsy with ablation performed at Facility A on 8/7/2024 showed atypical glandular epithelium. Patient was sent to Facility B where the total abdominal hysterectomy/bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (TAH/BSO) on 9/20/2024 showed other reactive fibrosis and obliterated architecture compatible with history of ablation. Is atypical glandular epithelium synonymous with and coded as EIN? 2. Isthmic-type mucosa with focal severe atypia Scenario: Endometrium biopsy showed isthmic-type mucosa with focal severe atypia. Then Facility B did TAH/BSO that showed no evidence of high grade dysplasia, atypical hyperplasia, or carcinoma. 3. Simple hyperplasia without atypia Scenario: Endometrial biopsy pathology states simple hyperplasia without atypia and the TAH/BSO is either negative or has the same histology; however, the treating physician is stating EIN. 4. EIN/CAH or focal EIN/CAH Scenario: Biopsy showed EIN/CAH but the total abdominal hysterectomy/bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (TAH/BSO) pathology or the Mirena IUD treatment operative note states no EIN/CAH/Atypical hyperplasia. Are these reportable, similar to an in situ when the re-excision lumpectomy or mastectomy is negative or no residual disease? |
Reportability for EIN became effective in 2021. 1. Do not report atypical glandular epithelium. Atypical glandular epithelium, also referred to as atypical glandular cells (AGC), refers to abnormal looking cells that may be found in the tissue lining the inside of the endometrium or the cervix. While not malignant (in situ or invasive), they can be associated with a range of lesions in the female reproductive system. 2. Do not report isthmic-type mucosa with focal severe atypia. The NCI data dictionary defines atypia as an abnormality in cells in tissue. Report the case when further defined as atypical hyperplasia. 3. Do not report simple hyperplasia without atypia. WHO Classification of Tumors online, Female Genital Tumors (5th ed.), defines endometrial hyperplasia without atypia as a proliferation of endometrial glands of irregular size and shape without significant atypia. There is no ICD-O code for this term. Simple endometrial hyperplasia without atypia is an acceptable related term for endometrial hyperplasia without atypia. Pathology has priority over a physician statement. 4. Report EIN/CAH or focal EIN/CAH (8380/2) based on the biopsy. WHO Classification of Tumors online, Female Genital Tumors (5th ed.), defines EAH/EIN as a simultaneous change of epithelial cytology and an increased number of endometrial glands in a defined region. The preferred term is atypical hyperplasia of the endometrium; terms not recommended include complex atypical endometrial hyperplasia; simple atypical endometrial hyperplasia; endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia.
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2025 |
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20250023 | First Course Treatment/Hormone Therapy--Multiple Myeloma: How is dexamethasone coded when given for multiple myeloma? See Discussion. |
The treatment regimen consisting of carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (KRd) in SEER*Rx says not to code dexamethasone. I have a patient with multiple myeloma who received the KRd protocol in 2018 and the treatment regimen consisting of carfilzomib, daratumumab, and dexamethasone (KdD) (not in SEER Rx) in 2025. SEER RX says to code dexamethasone when it is given for multiple myeloma but also not to code dexamethasone when given as part of the KRd regimen (which is for multiple myeloma). I can follow the KRd instructions if that is what should take priority, but then would I code dexamethasone for the KdD regimen? KdD is not in SEER*Rx and it seems counterintuitive to code it for KdD and not for KRd. |
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. |
2025 |
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20250016 | Reportability--Head & Neck: Are high-grade squamous dysplasia / “severe” squamous dysplasia or glandular intraepithelial neoplasia reportable for all Head & Neck subsites? If so, what year did they become reportable? In reviewing SINQ 20240003, 20230047, and 20230046, it appears that at least the larynx, mandible, and tongue have been reportable since 2021. However, 8077/2 and 8148/2 histology codes are not included in the Solid Tumor Rules (STRs) (2025 update) for Head and Neck, either in Tables 1-9 or the H Rules. |
High grade squamous dysplasia (8077/2) is reportable for head and neck sites for cases diagnosed as of 01/01/2021. High grade glandular intraepithelial neoplasia / glandular intraepithelial neoplasia grade III (8148/2) and high grade squamous intraepithelial neoplasia / squamous intraepithelial neoplasia grade III (8077/2) are reportable for head and neck sites for cases diagnosed as of 01/01/2001. Refer to other standard setters’ criteria for reportability as appropriate. |
2025 | |
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20260013 | Primary Site--Colon: How is primary site assigned when the only documented term is “colorectal cancer?” See Discussion. |
Patient is diagnosed with adenocarcinoma documented by the physician as “colorectal cancer.” The medical record does not specify colon, rectosigmoid, rectum, or any specific segment of the large intestine. There is also no imaging, operative, endoscopic, or pathology documentation identifying a more precise site of origin. Specifically, should the registrar assign: · C18.9 — Colon NOS - (excludes rectum, NOS C20.9 and rectosigmoid junction C19.9) · C19.9 — Rectosigmoid junction · C20.9 — Rectum NOS · C26.0 — Intestinal tract, NOS · C26.9 — Gastrointestinal tract, NOS · or another site |
Assign primary site as colon, NOS (C18.9) when the only information about the diagnosis you have is "colorectal cancer." We consulted with a subject matter expert who believes that colon, NOS is closest to being correct and that rectosigmoid is not appropriate. If further information becomes available through further workup and/or treatment, update the primary site as appropriate. We will add clarification to the 2027 SEER Manual, Appendix C, Colon Coding Guidelines. |
2026 |
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