Primary site--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: How is the primary site coded, and which PH rule applies, when chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) is diagnosed simultaneously by biopsies of both lymph node(s) and the bone marrow?
Code the primary site to C421 [bone marrow] per Rule PH5 when CLL/SLL [9823/3] involves the bone marrow.
In the later stages of CLL/SLL, there may be involvement of bone marrow AND lymph node(s), lymph node region(s), organ(s), or tissue(s). As long as the peripheral blood and/or bone marrow are involved, the primary site is bone marrow.
WHO states that the diagnostic criteria for CLL versus SLL is not clearly defined. According to WHO guidelines, it is better to code to CLL/SLL and code the primary site to bone marrow when the marrow is involved and to lymph nodes, organ, or tissue when there is no bone marrow involvement.
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.
EOD-Pathologic Review of Number of Regional Lymph Nodes Positive and Examined--Colon: What codes are used to represent these fields when the pathology from a colon cancer resection describes 2/16 positive pericolonic lymph nodes and a "metastatic nodule in the pericolonic fat"?
For cases diagnosed 1998-2003:
Code the Number of Regional Lymph Nodes Positive field to 03 and the Number of Regional Lymph Nodes Examined field to 17. Each grossly detectable nodule in the pericolonic fat is counted as one regional lymph node.
Chemotherapy/Radiation Therapy--Lymphoma: How is treatment coded when Rituxan is given in combination with the monoclonal antibody Zevalin conjugated to 90-Yttrium or the monoclonal antibody Bexxar conjugated to 131-Iodine in the treatment of NHL?
Code Rituxan as chemotherapy. Code 90-Yttrium as radioisotope. Code 131-Iodine as radioisotope when given with Rituxan as treatment for lymphoma.
Zevalin is a monoclonal antibody conjugated to Yttrium 90. Bexxar is a monoclonal antibody conjugated to Iodine 131. In both drugs, the monoclonal antibody is only the delivery agent for the radioisotope. Both drugs should be coded as radioisotopes. The one-two-three punch of Rituxan and zevalin followed by Rituxan and Bexxar should be coded as chemotherapy plus radioisotopes. Zevalin is also used by itself for people who have not responded to Rituxan.
EOD 2018/EOD Regional Nodes--Oropharynx: Is code 550 missing “< equal to 6 cm” in the data item EOD Regional Nodes for Oropharynx HPV-Associated, Version 9? Otherwise, bilateral or contralateral lymph nodes with extranodal extension (ENE) that are >6 cm could fit into 550 OR 650.
Code 550 is missing “< equal to 6 cm.” In addition, code 650 should include ipsilateral lymph nodes as well.
Revised codes:
Code 550
CLINICAL ASSESSMENT only
Bilateral or contralateral lymph nodes, < equal to 6 cm WITH clinical evidence of ENE
Code 650
CLINICAL ASSESSMENT only
Ipsilateral, Bilateral or Contralateral lymph nodes > 6 cm WITH or WITHOUT clinical evidence of ENE
These changes will be implemented in Version 3.4 (October 2026). We apologize for the error.
Primary site--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: Is C448 [overlapping lesion of skin] or C449 [skin, NOS] the appropriate site code for a 2008 diagnosis of mycosis fungoides involving over 40 percent of the skin surface, including both upper and lower extremities and trunk?
Code the primary site to C449 [skin, NOS]. The code C448 should be used when there is a single overlapping lesion that includes all the disease. The patient has extensive skin coverage involving multiple skin subsites (upper and lower extremities and the trunk), but it is unlikely there is ONE plaque (one lesion) overlapping all these different skin subsites. The disease has more likely presented as multiple plaques (lesions) in these different areas.
MP/H Rules/Multiple primaries--Breast: Does rule M10 apply in this situation?
L breast biopsy = INVASIVE DUCTAL CARCINOMA
L breast simple mastectomy = 2.0 cm INVASIVE DUCTAL CARCINOMA with an incidental finding of separate 1.0 cm INVASIVE LOBULAR CARCINOMA; pathologist specifically states the tumors are morphologically different. The tumors are both pure Ductal/pure Lobular.
Yes, Breast rule M10 applies. This case is a single primary.
Follow the MP/H rules even though the "pathologist specifically states the tumors are morphologically different" so that situations like this are reported consistenty accross cancer registries, regions, and states for consistent national reporting.
First course treatment--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: How is a "donor lymphocyte infusion" that is used in the treatment of CLL coded?
Donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) is coded as immunotherapy. The lymphocytes are donated by the same person who donated the original stem cell transplant. The lymphocyte infusion creates an immune response in which the T-cells are activated to attack the cancer cells.
MP/H Rules/Histology--Breast: How is histology coded for an "infiltrating papillary carcinoma" of the breast when there is no mention of ductal or adenocarcinoma in the pathology report?
For cases diagnosed 2007 or later, assign histology code 8503 [Papillary adenocarcinoma]. Rule H14 applies.
ICD-O-3 code 8050 does not apply in this case. Refer to the numeric listing in ICD-O-3. 8050 is a squamous cell neoplasm. Papillary carcinoma of the breast is NOT a squamous cell neoplasm. It is a neoplasm of the breast parenchyma - ducts, lobules or connective tissue. 8503 is the correct code in this case.
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