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Report Produced: 07/12/2025 23:38 PM

Report Question ID Question Discussion Answer Year
20220020

Histology--Thyroid: What is the correct histology code for a thyroidectomy with final diagnosis of “Right lower lobe: papillary microcarcinoma, conventional type, 0.8 cm. Isthmus: papillary microcarcinoma, follicular variant, 0.2 cm. Left lobe: Papillary carcinoma, conventional, unencapsulated.” See Discussion.

We were previously told that papillary microcarcinoma is coded to 8260 (papillary thyroid carcinoma) and not papillary microcarcinoma (8341). That is an area of confusion. 

Based on the information provided, code histology to follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (8340/3).  The tumor is a mix of papillary and follicular variants.

 2022
20220034

First Course Treatment--Lymphoma: Is the first round of systemic therapy coded as first course of therapy or is it all the therapy given to achieve remission for a lymphoma case with multiple treatments?  See Discussion.

Lymphoma case diagnosed in 2021: The patient had first round of systemic therapy as documented in the treatment plan and a post-chemotherapy PET scan that showed residual disease. The patient then had a different combination of systemic therapy and still had some residual disease. The patient was given a third round of different combination of systemic therapy in preparation for stem cell transplant. According to the physician post-stem cell transplant note, the patient achieved complete remission.

Is the first course of therapy the first round of systemic therapy only or is it all the therapy given to achieve remission?  It seems like only the first round of systemic therapy is first course of therapy for both leukemia and lymphoma in the hematopoietic manual. I thought all treatment for all hematopoietic cases was first course until remission achieved or progression was evident.

Code all treatments the patient received as first course of treatment. For lymphoma and leukemia, first course of treatment may include first-line, second-line, consolidation, maintenance, salvage, etc., any treatment to achieve remission.

We have added this to the agenda for the 2024 updates to the Hematopoietic Manual and Database.

 2022
20220042

First Course Treatment/Radiation Therapy:  How should Lutathera be coded? CoC states XRT- Radioisotopes and SEER states Other Treatment.

Lutathera is a radioconjugate consisting of the tyrosine-containing somatostatin analog Tyr3-octreotate (TATE) conjugated with the bifunctional, macrocyclic chelating agent tetra-azacyclododecanetetra-acetic acid (DOTA) and radiolabeled with the beta-emitting radioisotope lutetium Lu 177 with potential antineoplastic activities.

Update to the current manual: Code Lutathera as radiation (isotopes NOS code 13). We will make this change in the next version of the SEER manual. 

 2022
20220025

Reportability/Histology--Anal Canal:  For cases diagnosed in 2021, is anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) II reportable?   There is conflicting information regarding the reportability for AIN II.  SINQ 20210048 says to report AIN II but the 2021 SEER Manual Appendix E states intraepithelial neoplasia (8077/2 and 8148/2) must be unequivocally stated as grade III to be reportable.

AIN II is reportable for 2021. Squamous intraepithelial neoplasia, grade II is listed in ICD-O-3.2 as 8077/2 making it reportable for cases diagnosed in 2021. AIN is a type of squamous intraepithelial neoplasia.

The wording in Appendix E of the 2021 SEER manual (must be unequivocally stated as grade III to be reportable) was left over from earlier versions and is not correct for 2021 diagnoses. Follow the guidance in SINQ 20210048.

 2022
20220010

EOD 2018/Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms--Myeloid Sarcoma:  How is Extent of Disease (EOD) Primary Tumor coded for a myeloid sarcoma with multifocal skin involvement?  See Discussion.

Patient has a diagnosis of myeloid sarcoma presenting as multiple erythematous papules and nodules on back, chest, right arm & shoulder. Oncologist did not mention any evidence or suspicion of an associated AML diagnosis.

HemeRetic schema EOD Primary Tumor Note 1 states that myeloid sarcoma can be coded as localized (code 100) or systemic (code 700). It is not clear what would qualify as systemic disease for myeloid sarcoma.

Assign code 100, localized, using the 2018 EOD Primary Tumor, HemeRetic schema, for the myeloid sarcoma with skin involvement since only the skin is involved.  Use code 700, distant or disseminated, when multiple organs are involved.

 2022
20220032

Reportability/Histology--Testis: Is micropapillary serous borderline tumor reportable? Pathology states Testis (C621) radical orchiectomy: Micropapillary serous borderline tumor. 

We consulted an expert genitourinary pathologist who advises that micropapillary serous borderline tumor of the testis is reportable. He states "it is the same neoplasm as in the ovary. It arises from tissue (tunica vaginalis) surrounding the testis so is a paratesticular neoplasm." 

 Please note: not all borderline tumors are reportable and this diagnosis is an exception because it is assigned /2 in ICD-O-3.2. It is reportable for cases diagnosed Jan 1, 2021 and later.

 2022
20220031

Tumor Size/Neoadjuvant Treatment:  If a patient discontinues neoadjuvant therapy and then has surgery, how is the pathologic tumor size coded with the pathologic tumor size greater than the clinical tumor size? Currently, we are instructed to code 999 for the pathologic tumor size when neoadjuvant therapy is given; what happens when neoadjuvant chemotherapy is discontinued after 3 cycles (plan for 4 cycles)? 

Assign 999 for pathologic tumor size when patient has received neoadjuvant therapy, even when neo-adjuvant therapy is not completed. Describe the details in text fields.

 2022
20220019

Solid Tumor Rules/Histology--Thyroid:  What is the correct histology code for a papillary carcinoma, encapsulated with columnar cell features?  See Discussion.

There is an ICD-O histology code for papillary carcinoma, columnar cell (8344/3) as well as papillary carcinoma, encapsulated (8343/3). Per Rule H13, the terms “with features of” may be used to identify a subtype.

Considering these two subtypes, and knowing there is no specific histology code for this combination, is the first rule that applies H17 (code the numerically higher histology code)?

Code to papillary carcinoma, encapsulated (C73.9) (8343/3) using Solid Tumor Rules, Other Sites, Rule H11, code the histology when only one histologic type is identified.  The usage of features is describing the cellular architecture of the encapsulated papillary carcinoma and does not necessarily indicate a specific histologic type. We consulted with our endocrine specialist pathologist who agrees and indicated terminology used in thryoid neoplasms is inconsistent.

 2022
20220012

EOD 2018/Lymph Nodes--Corpus Uteri:  Are lymph nodes found on imaging post-surgery included in Extent of Disease (EOD) Regional Nodes if surgery is already completed?  See Discussion.

11/16/20:  Patient diagnosed with endometrial cancer on by MRI of the pelvis; 11.5 cm uterine mass consistent with cancer with no lymphadenopathy.

1/6/21:  Patient had a total abdominal hysterectomy/bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection. Operative report stated patient had mildly enlarged bilateral pelvic nodes.

Path report:  Endometrioid adenocarcinoma with invasion of the serosa. Five bilateral pelvic nodes were sampled and negative. Originally, staging had patient as node negative.

1/22/21:  Patient had post op imaging done that showed metastatic retroperitoneal, aortocaval, and possibly left iliac lymph nodes. Physician changed staging to include the lymph node involvement.

EOD includes all information available within four months of diagnosis in the absence of disease progression or upon completion of surgery(ies) in first course of treatment, whichever is longer. Since the imaging was within the four-month window, and the nodes could have been positive during surgery but not assessed by the surgeon, use the information from the imaging.

Assign code 600 for EOD Regional Nodes for involvement of the aortocaval and retroperitoneal nodes (para-aortic nodes), size unknown.

 2022
20210075

Reportability:  What American College of Radiology Reporting and Data Systems (RADS) can be used to determine reportability?  See Discussion.

LI-RADS (liver), PI-RADS (prostate), and TI-RADS (thyroid) can be used to determine reportability. BI-RADS (breast) and Lung-RADS cannot be used to determine reportability. Can these systems below to determine reportability?

C-RADS (from CT colonography)

NI-RADS (head & neck)

O-RADS (ovarian-adnexal)

The following cancer cases are reportable unless there is information to the contrary.

–Liver cases with an LI-RADS category LR-4 (reportable since 2021) or LR-5 (reportable since 2016)

–Prostate cases with a PI-RADS category 4 or 5 (reportable since 2017)

The following are not reportable without additional information.

–Breast cases designated BI-RADS 4, 4A, 4B, 4C or BI-RADS 5

–Lung cases designated Lung-RADS 4A," 4B, or 4X

–Liver cases based only on an LI-RADS category of LR-3

–Colon cases with only C-RADS information (C-RADS category C4 is not reportable by itself)

–Head and Neck cases with only NI-RADS information (NI-RADS category 3 is not reportable by itself)

–Ovarian or fallopian tube cases with only O-RADS information (none of the O-RADS categories are reportable without additional information)

–Thyroid cases with only TI-RADS information (none of the TI-RADS categories are reportable without additional information)

 2021