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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.

Updated Answer July 2024

Code histology as myelodysplastic neoplasm with increased blasts (9983/3) based on the WHO Classification of Hematolymphoid Tumors, 5th edition, Beta version 2.  WHO lists MDS with increased blasts-2 (MDS-IB2) as a subtype of 9983/3.

Terms coded to 9983/3 include

• Myelodysplastic neoplasm with increased blasts
• Myelodysplastic neoplasm with increased blasts-1
• Myelodysplastic neoplasm with increased blasts-2
• Myelodysplastic neoplasm with increased blasts and fibrosis
• Subtypes: MDS with increased blasts-1 (MDS-IB1); MDS with increased blasts-2 (MDS-IB2); MDS with increased blasts and fibrosis (MDS-F)

When differences exist between WHO and ICC, assign the histology based on the WHO Classification.

As a general rule, the surgeon is usually in a better position to determine the site of origin compared to the pathologist. The surgeon sees the tumor in its anatomic location, while the pathologist is often using information given to him/her by the surgeon and looking at a specimen removed from the anatomic landmarks. However, when a pathologist is looking at an entire organ, such as the pancreas, he/she may be able to pinpoint the site of origin within that organ.

In the case of pancreas body vs. neck, the neck is a thin section of the pancreas located between the head and the body. It may be a matter of opinion whether a tumor is located in the "body" vs. the "neck." In the situation you describe, we would give preference to the surgeon and assign the code for body of pancreas, C251.

This is reportable as 9591/3, B-cell lymphoma, NOS.All diagnoses in the differential are all B-cell lymphomas. The pathologist knows it a B-cell lymphoma but has not determined the subtype. If at a later time a specific lymphoma is determined, update the histology code accordingly.

Code histology as urothelial carcinoma, NOS (8120/3). Our subject matter expert advises that WHO Classification of Urinary and Male Genital Tumors, 5th edition, does not recognize mixed urinary histologies; therefore, has not assigned an ICD-O code for urothelial mixed with multiple variants. Only pure variants are coded as they have a different prognosis from those that are mixed. According to WHO, invasive urothelial carcinoma is remarkable for its diversity of morphological appearances and a single lesion can display an admixture of conventional urothelial and various well-defined histological subtypes.

Assign code 8742/2 (lentigo maligna) for “early lentiginous melanoma in situ.” ICD-O-3.2 lists the preferred term for 8742/2 as lentigo maligna (C44._).

Do not code 500 for involvement of the mesentery unless the mesentery is specifically stated to be involved (and we don't have that information). We need more information on this case to assign EOD primary tumor.

EOD Regional Nodes would be 000 per AJCC.

This is a single primary according to the Solid Tumor Rules.

1. Breast Solid Tumor Rule M18 applies to the occurrence of the second right breast tumor (single primary).
2. Apply the Solid Tumor Rules, General Instructions, that state the rules are NOT used for tumor(s) described as metastases. Tumor in a metastatic site is not counted when applying the Solid Tumor rules. In this case, the physician stated that this is a right breast primary with widespread metastasis to the left breast.

Table 19 is based on WHO 5th Ed Tumors of vulva and squamous cell variants, keratinizing and non-keratinizing, are no longer recommended and are excluded from the 5th Ed. HPV related terminology is now preferred for these neoplasms.

Per consultation with our GYN expert pathologist, based on the information provided, this is likely a single tumor that was not completely excised in the original biopsy. A new tumor in the same site would not appear within 8 months. If you cannot confirm two separate/non-contiguous tumors were present, abstract a single primary per M1. As for histology, the tumor showed both keratinizing and non-keratinizing features and HPV status is unclear. Per our expert, code to SCC 8070/3—keratinization or lack of does not change treatment or prognosis.

Even If there is proof of separate/non-contiguous tumors, our expert still feels this is a single primary coded to SCC 8070/3. Treatment does not differ by keratinization or HPV status. Coding two primaries would be incorrect and inflate incidence rates.

Per our expert, this is an unusual occurrence. The rules cover 85% of cases but there will always be situations that do not fit a rule. This case is an example of that.  A new GYN specific Solid Tumor Rules module is under development and a rule to address this situation could be included.

infliximab is not cancer-directed treatment. This drug was last updated by the FDA 2/22/2023 with additional information on its approval to treat non-malignant neoplasms. To date, the FDA has not approved it for use in colon cancer. This drug was intially developed to treat colon cancer; however, found to be ineffective treating cancer.