System Guide
Back to Search Results

Search Results

Display Options
Display Options
Select Fields
Export Results to CSV Create Report 0
+ Add all results to report

Report Produced: 09/18/2025 07:55 AM

Report Question ID Question Discussion Answer Year
20130147 Primary site--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: What the primary site for a diagnosis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis with multifocal multisystem involvement of the skin, chest, CNS and thyroid, but no evidence of involvement on a bone scan?

For cases diagnosed 2010 and forward, access the Hematopoietic Database at http://seer.cancer.gov/seertools/hemelymph.

Code the primary site to C809 [unknown].

Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH) includes three major groups:

  • Unifocal: Slowly progressing disease, involves one organ.

  • Multifocal unisystem: Involves several organs in one system.

  • Multifocal multisystem: Involves several organs in two or more systems.

    • When the disease is both multifocal and multisystem, code the primary site to unknown [C809] because there is no way to identify the origin of the neoplasm in this situation.

    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
    		20130162 Reportability--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: Is erythrocytosis of an unknown cause a reportable disease?

    For cases diagnosed 2010 and forward, access the Hematopoietic Database at http://seer.cancer.gov/seertools/hemelymph.

    No. Per Appendix F, erythrocytosis of an unknown cause is not reportable.

    The diagnosis must state "erythrocytosis megalosplenic" to be reportable (9950/3).

    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
    		20130122 Multiple primaries--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: How many primaries are accessioned when an excisional biopsy of a chest wall nodule shows diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (40%) and follicular lymphoma, grade 3A (60%)? See Discussion.

    The patient presented with a right chest wall nodule. The PET scan showed widespread disease: subcutaneous nodule/mass in the left scalp and right chest wall; large right paraspinal mass; soft tissue density likely a second early paraspinal mass at the right costovertebral junction; right paravertebral mass; and abnormal bony foci in the right humeral head, right iliac crest, right acetabulum and right femur. The physical exam showed 2 cm left supraclavicular lymphadenopathy and a firm 3 cm mass in the right chest wall. Lungs were clear. Abdomen showed no masses or ascites, and no palpable hepatosplenomegaly.

    Chest wall nodule excisional biopsy pathology: Lymph node and adjacent soft tissue: Malignant lymphoma with components: 1. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (40%). 2. Follicular lymphoma, grade 3A (60%). Pathology report note states the diffuse large cell lymphoma is probably arising from the follicular center cell lymphoma.

    Should this be a single primary? There is no mention of cutaneous lymphoma.

    Accession a single primary per Rule M4. Code histology to 9680/3 [diffuse large B-cell lymphoma] per Rule PH11.

    Per Rule M4, accession a single primary when two or more non-Hodgkin lymphomas are present in the same lymph node or organ.

    Per Rule PH11 code the histology to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (9680/3) when DLBCL and any other non-Hodgkin lymphoma are present in the same lymph node(s), lymph node region(s), organ(s), tissue(s) or bone marrow.

    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
    		20130021 Histology--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: When will the follicular lymphoma, grade 1 code [9695/3] ever be used? See Discussion. The Abstractor Notes currently do not explain the histologic classification of follicular lymphoma [FL]. Frequently, FL grade 1 and 2 are not being separated and are described as "low grade" or "grade 1-2" in the pathology final diagnosis. The correct histology code would be 9691/3 [FL, grade 2] for these cases. Apparently, per the 2008 WHO Classification, grade 1 and grade 2 are being grouped together as grade 1-2 due to the minimal difference in patient outcome. If these histologies are grouped together, will histology code 9695/3 [FL, grade 1] ever be used? Should the Heme Database explain the classifications of follicular lymphoma grade 1, 2, and 3?

    When the latest WHO classification for heme neoplasms was written in 2008, there was a lot of controversy about whether or not the FL grading system was useful or not. A number of papers have been written stating that grades 1 and 2 do not have a statistically different survival or transformation rate. Given that the controversy had not been settled by those in the clinical world, the WHO recommended analyzing grades 1 and 2 together. They did not, however, remove either grade 1 or 2 from their classification. When the WHO intend to change their classification (have both grades classified under one histology number), they omit one code from their book (make it obsolete) and change the definition for the other code. The 2008 WHO book did not make either ICD-O-3 code obsolete. Therefore, we continue to collect the cases as designated by the pathologist. If the controversy is settled before the next WHO classification, you may see changes in the codes.

    Additionally, since the 2008 WHO book was written, there have been some clinical papers challenging the designation of grade 3. They contend that grade 3 can be mistaken for low-grade.

    The grades for follicular lymphoma are based on the number of centroblasts per high powered field (HPF). The number of centroblasts for grade 1 is 0-5; for grade 2 is 6-15, for grade 3a and 3b is >15 centroblasts. 3a has centrocytes and 3b has no centrocytes.

    		2013
    		20130069 Reportability--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: Is chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm reportable? See Discussion. The Heme DB indicates myeloproliferative neoplasm is reportable, but does not indicate whether chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm is. Does the word "chronic" make this non-reportable?

    For cases diagnosed 2010 and forward, access the Hematopoietic Database at http://seer.cancer.gov/seertools/hemelymph.

    Chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm is reportable. The preferred term is myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasm, unclassifiable (MPN). Chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm is listed in the Heme DB under the Alternate Names section for this neoplasm.

    The term chronic does not affect the reportability of this neoplasm. The newer terms are myeloproliferative neoplasm or myeloproliferative disorder and chronic is not used in most diagnoses.

    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
    		20130111 Multiple primaries--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: How many primaries are accessioned if a 2008 diagnosis of extralymphatic follicular lymphoma in the breast is subsequently diagnosed in 2011 with ocular follicular lymphoma? See Discussion.

    The patient was diagnosed with follicular lymphoma in the breast in 2008. Per notes, there was no evidence of disease again until 2011 when the patient presented with ocular lymphoma. The physician stated this was part of the same disease process as the prior breast diagnosis. The bone marrow was not involved in either case.

    Is this a single primary (recurrence) of follicular lymphoma? Or are these multiple primaries because they arise in different extralymphatic sites?

    For cases diagnosed 2010 and forward, access the Hematopoietic Database at http://seer.cancer.gov/seertools/hemelymph.

    Accession a single primary, follicular lymphoma [9690/3] of the breast diagnosed in 2008 per Rule M2.

    Accession a single primary when there is a single histology. This is a recurrence of the patient's 2008 follicular lymphoma.

    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
    		20130125 Reportability--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: Is self-healing Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) of the skin reportable?

    For cases diagnosed 2010 and forward, access the Hematopoietic Database at http://seer.cancer.gov/seertools/hemelymph.

    This is a reportable primary. Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) [9751/3] is a reportable neoplasm.

    The term "self-healing" means that the neoplasm regressed without treatment. This is a known phenomenon.

    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
    		20130180 Histology--Pancreas: What is the difference between pancreatic endocrine neoplasm (PanNETs) [8240/3] and the new ICD-O-3 terms pancreatic endocrine tumor, benign [8150/0] and pancreatic endocrine tumor, malignant [8150/3]? See Discussion. SEER Inquiry 20120035 discusses the reportability of pancreatic endocrine neoplasm (PanNETs) tumors.

    The difference is that 8150 is for islet cell tumors. The preferred name was changed by WHO/IARC to reflect the current language used by pathologists to describe islet cell tumors [8150].

    The 8240 histology code added the neuroendocrine tumor, grade 1, low or well differentiated terms to the carcinoid ICD-O name.

    Islet cell tumors are more aggressive than the pancreatic NET tumors. Treatment and prognosis are determined by the histologic type. While the histology code 8150 is not new, the histology name has been updated.

    		2013
    		20130032 Primary site--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: How is the primary site coded for plasma cell myeloma with radiologic evidence of multiple lytic lesions? See Discussion.

    Patient complained of pain in the right side and back right upper flank area. CT shows an anterior mediastinal mass and abnormal appearance of skeleton. CXR: Age indeterminate T8 compression fracture. CT chest: abnormal appearance of skeleton. Correlate clinically for myeloma or mets. Acute T5 or T8 compression fractures. Anterior mediastinal mass which may represent thymoma, lymph nodes or metastases. 03/22/12 Metastatic Series: Nonspecific hypodensities in pelvis, left hip and right acromion. Possibility of myeloma can't be totally excluded. Bone marrow right post iliac crest core biopsy, clot section and aspirate: plasma cell myeloma.

    Should the primary site be coded to the bone marrow because the diagnosis of plasma cell myeloma was supported by radiologic evidence of multiple lytic lesions? The bone marrow biopsy confirmed the radiology reports.

    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 the Heme DB and Rule PH30. The Primary Site(s) section in the Heme DB indicates the primary site for plasma cell myeloma is C421 [bone marrow].

    The Primary Site Coding Instructions in the Heme Manual (Rule 1) states that when a specific code is listed under the Primary Site(s) section of the Heme DB it is the only primary site code that can be assigned for that leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome or myeloproliferative syndrome. Applying the PH Rules will result in the same answer for primary site, bone marrow [C421].

    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
    		20130151 Primary site--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: What is the primary site when a splenectomy shows "T large granular lymphocytic leukemia" and the peripheral blood flow cytometry is negative? See Discussion. The physician note states there is no evidence of leukemia on peripheral blood. The disease is localized to the spleen. Is the primary site coded to the bone marrow [C421] or can it be coded to the spleen [C422]?

    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]. Leukemias are coded to the bone marrow per the Heme DB.

    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