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Report Produced: 02/15/2026 07:29 AM

Report Question ID Question Discussion Answer Year
20130082 Ambiguous terminology/Histology--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: How is histology coded when a skin of lip pathology report demonstrates neoplastic lymphoid infiltrate with small B cells, compatible with B-cell small lymphocytic lymphoma/chronic lymphocytic leukemia? See Discussion. Ambiguous terminology is not used to code histology. What is the correct histology for this case? There was no other clinical statement from the physician regarding the histology following the release of the pathology report diagnosis.

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

Code the histology to 9823/3 [chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma]. This primary was accessioned based on reportable ambiguous terminology. The surgical pathology report was compatible with B-cell small lymphocytic lymphoma/chronic lymphocytic leukemia, "compatible with" is a reportable ambiguous term. A neoplastic lymphoid infiltrate is not a reportable diagnosis. Therefore, a diagnosis compatible with CLL/SLL is coded as histology code 9823/3.

The statement that you do not use ambiguous terms to code histology is intended for those NOS histologies with an ambiguous term being used to describe the subtype.

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
20130093 MP/H Rules/Histology--Lung: What histology code is used for an adenocarcinoma in situ/bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC) of the lung? See Discussion.

Classification of lung malignancies has undergone a change. The bronchioloalveolar carcinoma histology is being replaced by adenocarcinoma in situ and minimally invasive adenocarcinoma, using an evaluation of lepidic growth pattern in the tumor.

The final diagnosis is "adenocarcinoma in situ/BAC" and the comment states, "The findings in the current biopsy are most compatible with low grade malignant lesions which, in this sample, shows features of adenocarcinoma in situ (former bronchioloalveolar adenocarcinoma), given the proliferation of pneumocytes is limited to the alveolar lining with no evidence of invasion. However, classification of the lesion depends, per reference guidelines (Travis et al. J THOR ONCOL 2011 6,(2):244-275), on its size and its overall histologic features, to rule out the presence of an invasive component and therefore can only be performed upon examination of it in its entirety, upon resection." The radiation oncologist staged this T1N0M0, stage 1 BAC.

Code the histology to 8140/2 [adenocarcinoma in situ, NOS].

The comment for this case is consistent with information from the CAP protocol, which says, "The diagnosis of bronchioloalveolar carcinoma requires exclusion of stromal, vascular, and pleural invasiona requirement that demands the tumor be evaluated histologically in its entirety. It is therefore recommended that a definitive diagnosis of bronchioloalveolar adenocarcinoma not be made on specimens in which the tumor is incompletely represented."

This tumor was not completely resected. Therefore, code to adenocarcinoma in situ based on the information provided.

2013
20130120 Primary site--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: What is the primary site for a Langerhans cell Sarcoma of the lower extremity?

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

If the bone is involved, code the primary site to bone. Langerhans more commonly starts in the bone and extends to the soft tissue.

If bone is not involved, code primary site to C492, Connective, subcutaneous and other soft tissues of lower limb and hip.

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
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."

2013
20130179 Multiple primaries--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: How many primaries and what is the histology for each primary if a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma [9680/3] and a focus of splenic marginal zone lymphoma [9689/3] occur in a splenectomy specimen? See Discussion.

Patient presents with a huge mass in the spleen with direct extension to gastric fundus.

12/1/12 Splenectomy: Macroscopic nodules compatible with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma [9680/3]. Further, in the white pulp there are changes compatible with focus of splenic marginal zone lymphoma [9689/3].

Under the Transformations To section in the Heme DB, splenic marginal zone lymphoma transforms to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Per Rule M4, this is a single primary. According to Rule M4, one is to abstract a single primary when two or more types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma are simultaneously present in the same anatomic location(s), such as the same lymph node or lymph node region(s), the same organ(s), and/or the same tissue(s).

Per Rule PH11, code the histology to 9680/3 [diffuse large B-cell lymphoma] and the primary site to C422 [spleen]. According to PH11, one is to code the primary site to the site of origin, lymph node(s), lymph node region(s), tissue(s) or organ(s) and 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.

2013
20130192 MP/H Rules/Histology--Pleura: How is histology coded when the pathology report final diagnosis is "malignant neoplasm, compatible with malignant mesothelioma" if the COMMENT section of the pathology report indicates the tumor has a mixed epithelial and sarcomatoid pattern? See Discussion. This case was discussed with a pathologist who feels the correct histology should be biphasic mesothelioma (9053/3) because there are both epithelial and sarcomatoid components to this tumor. However, applying the current MP/H Rules, the histology is coded to 9050/3 (mesothelioma, NOS) because the term "pattern" cannot be used to code a more specific histologic type for invasive tumors. If this truly is a biphasic mesothelioma, that data is lost for researchers because the current MP/H Rules fail to capture this information. Should the term pattern be used to code the more specific histology in this case? Code the histology to malignant mesothelioma, NOS [9050/3]. Apply the MP/H Rules as written until they are revised. The word "pattern" and other terms will be reconsidered for the next iteration of the rules. 2013
20130210

Primary site--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: Does Rule PH27 apply meaning that primary site is coded to C809 or would it be more appropriate to code to C269 GI Tract NOS since all disease involves the GI tract and this is more specific?

Extranodal lymphoma first diagnosed in the stomach (fundus and antrum) which upon further investigation also involved the small bowel (MALT Lymphoma) in the absence of lymph node findings. MD staged this IIE. Initial thought was Gastric, but PET/CT indicated abnormal uptake involving loop of distended small bowel in the pelvis.

Assign C269 for Gastrointestinal tract, NOS. Apply Rule PH24, code to the organ when only an organ is involved. This rule can be used for NOS sites such as GI tract, NOS.

Based on the information provided, this lymphoma is confined to the GI tract -- stomach and small bowel.

2013
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
20130172 Multiple primaries--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: How many primaries are accessioned and what is the histology for each if a bone marrow diagnosis reveals co-existent systemic mastocytosis and a lymphoplasmacytic neoplasm? See Discussion.

11/7/12 Peripheral blood flow cytometry: small population of clonal CD5- CD10- B-cells consistent with a B-cell lymphoproliferative process.

1/16/13 Bone marrow final diagnosis: co-existent systemic mastocytosis and lymphoplasmacytic neoplasm.

B-cell component of lymphoplasmacytic neoplasm constitutes 20% of bone marrow cellularity and the plasma cell component approximately 20%. The differential diagnosis includes marginal zone lymphoma with plasmacytic differentiation and lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma.

Flow cytometry: kappa monotypic B-cells and plasma cells.

Comment: Co-existence of systemic mastocytosis and mature B-cell lymphoma meets the criteria for Systemic mastocytosis with Associated Clonal Hematological Non-Mast Cell Lineage Disease (SM-AHNMD).

From our physician's progress note: KIT-D816V-positive, CD117+/CD25+ /SM-AHNMD(40% of the nucleated cells as spindled mast cells) but also seemingly two distinct lymphoid neoplasms, a CD5-negative/CD10-negative B-cell lymphoproliferative neoplasm consistent with occupying another 20% of the nucleated marrow space, together with an IgG-kappa-restricted (non-reportable diagnosis) occupying another 20% of the nucleated marrow space (and an accompanying 2.0 g/dl M-spike without hypercalcemia or anemia).

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

Under the Alternate Names section of the Heme DB, systemic mastocytosis with Associated Clonal Hematological Non-Mast Cell Lineage Disease (SM-AHNMD) is a synonym for systemic mastocytosis. Per Rule M2, this is one primary. Abstract a single primary when there is a single histology. Code the histology to 9741/3 [systemic mastocytosis].

Per the pathology report, the two diagnoses of systemic mastocytosis and mantle cell lymphoma meet the criteria for SM-AHNMD. The B-cell lymphoma is a symptom/marker of the AHNMD. In systemic mastocytosis with AHNMD, a myeloid or lymphatic malignancy is diagnosed with the SM. The prognosis is usually dominated by the non-mast cell malignancy.

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
20130085

Multiple primaries--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: How many primaries are accessioned when a patient was treated in 1999 with Vidaza for myelodysplastic syndrome and had a recent biopsy that demonstrated a transformation to acute myeloid leukemia?

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

This case should be accessioned as a single primary, acute myeloid leukemia [9861/3].

MDS diagnosed prior to 1/1/2001 is not a reportable disease process. However, because MDS is currently a reportable disease process, it must be considered when trying to determine whether the AML represents a separate primary.

  • If the Heme DB indicates MDS and AML represent different (separate) disease processes, only one primary is reported (i.e., AML) because the 1999 diagnosed MDS is not reportable.
  • If the Heme DB indicates MDS and AML represent the same disease process, then no primaries are reported because MDS was not reportable in 1999.

Rule M2 does not apply to this case because more than one histology is mentioned in the scenario. According to the Heme DB, MDS can transform to AML. Rules M8-M13 apply to cases involving transformation. In this case, Rule M10 applies because the patient was diagnosed with a chronic neoplasm (myelodysplastic syndrome) followed greater than 21 days later by an acute neoplasm (AML).

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