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20130152 | Primary site/Histology--Brain and CNS: How is the primary site and histology coded for a 2013 diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma arising in a dermoid cyst of the third ventricle? See Discussion. | Patient has a dermoid cyst of the third ventricle of the brain diagnosed in 1998. In 2013 the cyst was removed and was diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma. An internet search revealed a journal article in the Journal or Neuro-Oncology that states, "Although rare, malignant transformation of intracranial epithelial cysts has a poor prognosis." The combination of site C715 [third ventricle, NOS] and histology 8070/3 [squamous cell carcinoma] fails SEER Edit IF 38_3: Primary site and Morphology Impossible. | According to the literature, intracranial squamous cell carcinoma is very rare with most cases arising from a preexisting benign epidermoid cyst. The combination of C71_ and 8070/3 should be allowed. We will submit a request to have this edit revised. | 2013 |
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20130010 | MP/H Rules/Histology--Skin: How is the histology coded for "infiltrative carcinoma with ductal alterations compatible with squamoid eccrine ductal carcinoma" of the skin? | Code the histology to 8413/3 [eccrine adenocarcinoma]. This is the most specific code available for this diagnosis.
According to our expert pathologist advisor, "The adnexal glands in the skin, sweat (eccrine) glands and apocrine glands, all have ducts which connect the business portion of each gland to the skin surface. Some of the adnexal tumors have features of differentiation which appear to be duct-like, hence the designation 'ductal.'"
In addition, "The 'squamoid' simply indicates some degree of squamous differentiation, but doesn't alter the usefulness of [code 8413/3] because we have no way of coding anything more specific in this case anyway." |
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20130140 | Reportability/Ambiguous terminology--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: Is a peripheral blood sample with an immunophenotype that is "characteristic of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia" reportable? | For cases diagnosed 2010 and forward, access the Hematopoietic Database at http://seer.cancer.gov/seertools/hemelymph.
This is a reportable diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia [9823/3]. The physician is using the terms "characteristic of" in the same manner as he/she would use the terms "diagnostic of."
This case fits with the usual diagnosis of CLL. The peripheral blood is diagnostic for leukemias. There was a specific leukemia noted, B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia. CLL (B-cell is the phenotype) is usually diagnosed incidentally by a peripheral smear because it is asymptomatic. However, we recommend looking for further work-up, such as a bone marrow biopsy.
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 | |
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20130157 | Primary Site--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: What primary site code should be assigned and what rule justifies that code?
Scenario: Pleural effusion, underwent thoracentesis. Pleural fluid unexpectedly showed Large B-Cell Lymphoma. Extensive workup including CT & PET was done and all findings were within normal limits. No evidence of lymphoma was seen and no palpable adenopathy was found. The only indication of lymphoma was the malignant pleural effusion. |
Code to pleura, C384.
Per the Hematopoietic database, Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma can originate in the pleural cavity. |
2013 | |
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20130194 | Reportability--Brain and CNS: Are blood vessel tumors arising in CNS sites reportable? See Discussion. |
Previous instructions from the CDC (Cancer - Collection and Coding Clarification for CNS Tumors - NPCR) stated that non-malignant blood vessel tumors in CNS sites are reportable and should be coded to the CNS site in which they arose. SINQ 20081113 also states that a blood vessel tumor, cavernoma/cavernous hemangioma, in the brain is reportable. However, SINQ 20120034 contradicts this previous answer stating the site should be coded to C490 [blood vessel] for a blood vessel tumor (venous angioma) in the brain. If blood vessel tumors arising in a CNS site are no longer reportable, please specify the site/histology codes for these non-reportable tumors and when this change took place. |
Vascular tumors of the CNS are reportable when they arise in the dura or parenchyma of the CNS and should be coded accordingly. The instructions in the CDC book regarding primary site coding are not the most current instructions.SEER assumed responsibility for brain and CNS reporting instructions in 2007. The tumor in SINQ 20120034 is not reportable because it arises in a blood vessel. The cavernous hemangioma in SINQ 20081113 is reportable because the primary site is the white matter of the cerebral cortex. |
2013 |
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20130138 | Multiple primaries--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: How many primaries are accessioned if a 2010 diagnosis of a preleukemic condition is subsequently diagnosed in 2012 with a specific leukemia that is not listed as a transformation? See Discussion. |
10/02/10 bone marrow biopsy showed myelodysplastic syndrome, unclassified [9989/3]. 6/19/12 bone marrow biopsy showed chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML-2) [9945/3]. CMML-2 is not listed as an acute neoplasm for MDS. Is this the same disease? Per the pre-2010 rules, this would be the same disease. The current Heme DB indicates these are separate primaries. |
For cases diagnosed 2010 and forward, access the Hematopoietic Database at http://seer.cancer.gov/seertools/hemelymph. This case should be accessioned as two primaries, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) [9989/3] diagnosed 10/2/10 and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML-2) [9945/3] diagnosed 6/19/12 per Rule M15. Per Rule M15, use the Multiple Primaries Calculator when rules M1-M14 do not apply. When myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) became reportable, the rules in effect at that time resulted in MDS often being the only diagnosis reported when both MDS and a leukemia were diagnosed. Statistics for some leukemias were impacted. Now we report both the MDS and the leukemia for greater accuracy. 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 |
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20130028 | Primary site--CLL/SLL: How is the primary site coded and what rule applies when no bone marrow biopsy is performed on a patient diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) which was based on the results of an axillary biopsy, positive peripheral blood and a CT scan showing multiple lymph nodes involved above and below the diaphragm? See Discussion | The physician staged this as Stage 0 CLL/SLL. Should the primary site be coded to lymph nodes if the MD stated this was leukemia? | 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] per Rule PH5. Code the primary site to the bone marrow when the peripheral blood is involved, even if no bone marrow biopsy is performed.
According to the notes for Rule PH5, CLL always has peripheral blood involvement (PH5 Note 1). CLL/SLL may also have involvement of lymph node regions in later stages (PH5, Note 2). For this patient a bone marrow biopsy was not performed but he had extensive lymph node and peripheral blood involvement. Therefore, the primary site is coded to C421. In addition, the physician's documentation specifies this patient has Stage 0 disease which indicates this disease process is being classified as leukemia (CLL).
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 |
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20130206 | Primary site--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: What rule applies to code a primary site for a peripheral blood diagnosis of marginal zone lymphoma that has a positive flow cytometry/FISH analysis when no biopsies are performed, scans show no evidence of disease, exam indicates no lymph nodes are palpable and the physician's clinical diagnosis "marginal zone lymphoma, unspecified site, stage 1"? See Discussion. | PE: No palpable lymph nodes.
PET scan: No spleen or lymph node uptake; no uptake anywhere in the body.
Peripheral blood and flow cytometry/FISH analysis diagnosis: Marginal zone lymphoma.
No bone marrow or biopsy of any lymph nodes done. Doctor states "marginal zone lymphoma, unspecified site, stage 1." |
For cases diagnosed 2010 and forward, access the Hematopoietic Database at http://seer.cancer.gov/seertools/hemelymph.
Per Rule PH27, code the primary site to C809 [unknown primary]. According to Rule PH27 one is to code the primary site to unknown primary site C809 when there is no evidence of lymphoma in lymph nodes AND the physician documents in the medical record that he/she suspects that the lymphoma originates in an organ(s) OR multiple organ involvement without any nodal involvement.
If further workup is done and a primary site is determined, update the primary site for this case.
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 |
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20130186 | Grade: Can the FIGO grade be used to code the morphologic grade? See discussion. |
FIGO Grade is coded in CS SSF 7 in the Corpus Uteri schema. The SEER Manual does not address using FIGO grade for coding grade in morphology. |
Do not use FIGO grade to code the grade field. See the sentence below the table in Instruction #6 in the Grade Coding Instructions for cases diagnosed 2014 and later, http://seer.cancer.gov/tools/grade/ |
2013 |
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20130161 | Primary Site--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: Is the primary site coded to C779 or C421 for a bone marrow that is positive for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the peripheral blood demonstrates leukemic involvement and the PET scan shows involvement of abdominal lymph nodes, spleen and throughout the bones? See Discussion. | 1/11/13 Bone marrow bx: B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Flow cytometry of peripheral blood shows leukemia involvement.
PET scan shows involvement of abdominal lymph nodes, spleen and throughout the bones. The patient has an elevated WBC, anemia and thrombocytopenia.
The answer to SINQ 20120047 (which is no longer visible in the system) said to code B lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma to bone marrow for primary site if there is bone marrow involvement. The Heme/Lymph Manual Rule PH7 says to code bone marrow as the primary site if bone marrow is the only site involved.
Following the manual, the primary site would be C779. However, according to the answer to SINQ 20120047, the primary site would be C421. Which is correct? |
For cases diagnosed 2010 and forward, access the Hematopoietic Database at http://seer.cancer.gov/seertools/hemelymph.
Per the Heme DB, the histology B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia is synonymous with B lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma, NOS. Per Rule PH8, for a neoplasm that can manifest as either leukemia lymphoma or leukemia lymphoma, one is to code the primary site to the site of origin when lymph node(s) or lymph node region(s), tissue(s) or organs are involved. The Note 4 instruction states it is necessary to go to Module 7 (Rules PH18-PH27) to code the more specific primary site. In this case, use Rule PH22 to code primary site to C779 [lymph nodes, NOS] for the case you describe.
In this case, there is involvement of abdominal lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow and bone. There is no indication of the primary site. Per the Heme DB, the most frequent sites of involvement for the lymphoma are bone and lymph nodes. This is a Stage IV lymphoma.
The now inactivated SINQ 20120047, stated that based on the sites of involvement, this histology could be coded as either leukemia or lymphoma. If the only involvement is the bone marrow, the site is coded to C421 [bone marrow]. The involvement of peripheral blood does not change the primary site because such involvement is part of the leukemic process.
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 |
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