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Report Produced: 05/30/2026 17:02 PM

Report Question ID Question Discussion Answer Year
20120045 Primary site--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: What is the primary site of a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma described on a PET and an abdominal CT scan as a large pelvic mass displacing bladder and uterus, inseparable from anus, right pelvic sidewall, cervix and bilateral ovaries and per the clinician as stage IIE? See Discussion.

PET: large pelvic mass displacing bladder and uterus, inseparable from anus, right pelvic sidewall, cervix and bilateral ovaries. Diffuse abnormal uptake within this mass as well as the adjacent structures. No regional hypermetabolic adenopathy is noted and no imaging evidence of distant metastatic disease. The PET also demonstrated diffuse abnormal uptake within the pelvic mass as well as the adjacent structures.

CT abdomen: large pelvic mass invading vagina and inseparable from the anus, right pelvic sidewall, cervix and bilateral ovaries.

MD states: "stage IIE with invasion of vagina."

Updated May 2026

Per Rule PH18, code the primary site to the specified lymph node region when the site of lymphoma is described only as a mass. This rule also indicates that the Code pelvic lymph nodes [C775] when the lymph nodes are described as a pelvic mass.

This rule has been effect for SEER for over 20 years. It is based on the fact that a number of lymphomas that originate in nodes are not diagnosed until those nodes become matted or fixed. The presentation is then one of a "mass" in those nodal regions.

 2012
20100048 Primary site--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: How is the primary site coded for a patient diagnosed with Langerhans cell histocytosis/eosinophilic granuloma involving both the seventh rib and the right temporal bone? See Discussion. Patient was diagnosed with Langerhans cell histiocytosis/eosinophilic granuloma following a biopsy of the seventh rib on 3/22/10. On 4/13/10 the patient had a right external ear canal mass (right temporal bone) biopsy with same diagnosis. Should the primary site be coded to bone, NOS [C419]?

Updated May 2026

Per the Hematopoietic database, if a primary site of LCH is not able to be determined, default to C419. So, assign C419 for this case.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis can occur as a solitary lesion, multifocal lesions, or multisystem disease. In this case, the patient has multifocal disease of the bone.

For cases diagnosed 2010-2020, LCH is reported as 9751/3 for all diagnoses.

For cases diagnosed 2021+, only Langerhans, disseminated (multifocal, multiorgan, multisystem) is reportable as 9751/3.

2010
20110108 Primary site--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: What is the primary site for a bone marrow biopsy positive for systemic mastocytosis that also involves the spleen and lymph nodes with associated leukocytosis, mild anemia and thrombocytopenia?

Updated May 2026

Per the Heme DB, code the primary site to C421 [bone marrow] because that is the only site listed under the Primary Site section of the Heme DB.

Under the Abstractor Notes section in the Heme DB, it indicates that the bone marrow is always involved, and the white and red pulp of the spleen may be involved with systemic mastocytosis. This is how this patient presented; therefore, the bone marrow is the primary site. The spleen is secondarily involved because the spleen cleanses the blood and the neoplastic cells have infiltrated the red and white pulp of the spleen. The same is true for the lymph nodes. Although the lymph nodes are rarely involved, they may be involved when the patient has systemic mastocytosis.

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.

2011
20110056 Primary site--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: What is the primary site for a post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) diagnosed on a brain biopsy? See Discussion. A patient was diagnosed in 6/2010 with PTLD by a brain biopsy. PTLD typically involves lymph nodes. Can the primary site for PTLD be coded to the brain?

Updated May 2026

Per the Heme DB, PTLD commonly involves lymph nodes, GI tract, lungs, and liver. Although CNS involvement is rare, in solid organ recipients the CNS may be the only site of involvement or may be associated with multi-organ involvement. Code the primary site to C719 [brain, NOS] and the histology to 9971/3 [post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD)]

2011
20120073 Primary site--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: How is the primary site coded for a 2011 diagnosis of systemic mastocytosis? See Discusson. Patient presented with leukopenia, anemia and monoclonal gammopathy. A bone marrow biopsy in 2011 showed systemic mastocytosis [9741/3]. A subsequent shave biopsy of abdominal skin showed histologic features that were consistent with a diagnosis of mastocytosis. A later bone marrow biopsy was subsequently performed that showed progressive systemic mastocytosis.

Updated May 2026

The Heme DB indicates the primary site for systemic mastocytosis is always coded to C421 [bone marrow].

2012
20100040 Histology--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: How is this field coded for a patient with a negative bone marrow and multiple plasmacytomas in different bone sites (e.g., thoracic vertebrae and left femur)?

Updated May 2026

The original answer for this question was to code the primary site to C419 [Bone, NOS] and histology to 9731/3 [solitary plasmacytoma]

In 2021, we received clinical guidance from the WHO 4th edition which stated the presence of two plasmacytomas is multiple myeloma (9732/3), even if the bone marrow is negative or not evaluated. Registrars were not required to go back and review older cases.

This case would be coded as a single primary, 9732/3 and primary site C421.

2010
20100071 Multiple primaries/Histology--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: How many primaries are accessioned for a patient diagnosed in February 2010 with a plasmacytoma of the frontal skull followed by a diagnosis of smoldering myeloma by bone marrow biopsy? See Discussion.

The patient had a diagnosis of solitary plasmacytoma of the right frontal skull in 2/2010 that was totally resected (the cranial specimen final diagnosis was plasmacytoma). The patient received radiation. While undergoing radiation, the patient was seen by a medical oncologist who did a bone marrow biopsy that revealed 10-15% plasma cells, and was called smoldering myeloma. Watchful waiting was recommended. In 8/2010, the patient had multiple lytic lesions and began systemic treatment.

Per rule M15 and the Multiple primary calculator, 9731/3 [plasmacytoma] and 9732/3 [smoldering myeloma] is accessioned as two primaries. When the manual states, "Use the Hematopoietic Database to determine the primary site and histology when PH1-PH29 do not apply," does this mean to use the calculator not the database itself? By the old rules this was one primary. Did this change for cases diagnosed 1/1/10 and later? Which M rule is the correct rule to apply?

Updated May 2026

The smoldering myeloma is a second primary per Rule M10. Accession as multiple primaries because this case was originally diagnosed as a chronic neoplasm (plasmacytoma)phase and there was a second diagnosis of an acute neoplasm (multiple myeloma) after the initial clinical workup of the chronic neoplasm is completed.

When the rules tell you to go to the DB to determine the histology and primary site, you use the DB information. (Don't forget to check the Abstractor Notes). The multiple primaries calculator is used to determine the number of primaries to abstract. Always use the M rules before using the MP calculator.

 2010
20100037

Multiple primaries/Histology--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: How many primaries should be accessioned for a patient diagnosed with essential thrombocythemia [9962/3] in 2002 who had a 2010 biopsy consistent with the fibrotic stage for a chronic myeloproliferative disorder that "suggests the patient is transforming to an acute myeloid leukemia"? See Discussion.

Patient had a diagnosis of essential thrombocythemia [9962/3] in 2002 and was treated with Hydroxyurea. In 2010, the patient was admitted with severe bone pain and a diagnosis described as, "The overall features of the biopsy are consistent with a fibrotic stage of a chronic myeloproliferative disorder. The presence of up to 15% CD34+ immature cells seen in the biopsy suggests that the patient is transforming to an acute myeloid leukemia." In addition, cytogenetic studies and molecular testing for JAK2 were ordered. These findings confirmed a myeloproliferative disorder. JAK2 mutation was not detected. The patient died within 2 weeks. Is this a new primary?

Was this patient diagnosed with AML (which requires 20% or more blasts and this is only 15%)? If this is a new primary, is the histology 9861/3 [AML, NOS] or 9895/3 [AML with myelodysplasia-related changes]? Was the second diagnosis of AML definitively diagnosed?

Updated May 2026

This case is a single primary, essential thrombocythemia [9962/3] in 2002. The 2010 diagnosis is chronic myeloproliferative disorder [9960/3].

According to Rule M15, the Multiple Primaries Calculator is to be used to first determine the number of primaries. Per the calculator, essential thrombocythemia and chronic myeloproliferative disorder are the same primary. (Acute myeloid leukemia is not used as the second histology because it is preceded by a non-reportable ambiguous term, "suggests." "Suggests" is not on the list of reportable ambiguous terms in the Hematopoietic and Lymphoid Neoplasm Coding Manual.

In 2010, this patient was in a late stage of ET. When any of the specific MPN neoplasms such as ET are in the late stage of disease, the characteristics of the specific disease (ET) will no longer be detectable. Accordingly, for this patient the diagnostic testing was positive for MPN, unclassifiable. In this case, do not change the diagnosis from the more specific disease (ET) to the NOS (MPN, unclassifiable)

 2010
20120083 Multiple primaries--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: How many primaries are accessioned if a patient is diagnosed with follicular lymphoma, grade 3 in 2006 and is subsequently diagnosed with follicular lymphoma, grade 2 in 2011? See Discussion.

June 2006, the patient was diagnosed with follicular lymphoma, grade 3 by cervical lymph node biopsy and bone marrow biopsy. The patient refused treatment but was followed.

May 2007, the patient had another cervical LN biopsy with a diagnosis of follicular lymphoma, grade 2.

July, 2009, a neck mass excision was diagnosed as follicular lymphoma, grade 3.

June 2011, another neck lymph node was excised and diagnosed as follicular lymphoma, grade 2.

According to the MP calculator, FL grade 3 [9698/3] is a separate primary from FL grade 2 [9691/3]. Is the June 2011 diagnosis of FL grade 2 a new primary?

Updated May 2026

This case should be accessioned as a single primary per Rule M15. The histology is coded to 9698/3 [follicular lymphoma, grade 3] diagnosed in 2006. The 2011 diagnosis of follicular lymphoma, grade 2 [9691/3] is not a new primary.

Follicular lymphoma, grade 2 [9691/3] is listed under the Same Primaries section of the Heme DB for 9698/3 [follicular lymphoma, grade 3]. To confirm this, Rule M15 indicates we are to use the Heme DB Multiple Primaries Calculator to determine the number of primaries because none of the rules from 1-14 apply. Per the calculator, these histologies represent the same primary.

In addition, the following note was added to the Heme DB for all the Follicular Lymphomas (9690/3, 9691/3, 9695/3, 9698/3) in 2025.

Follicular lymphomas are always the same primary. When there are multiple diagnoses of Follicular lymphoma, update the histology (as needed) to always reflect the highest grade. Known grade always takes priority over the NOS histology. (See Rule M2 in the Hematopoietic manual).

Priority order:

1. 9698/3: Follicular lymphoma, Grade 3, 3A, 3B

2. 9691/3: Follicular lymphoma, Grade 2

3. 9695/3: Follicular lymphoma, Grade 1

4. 9690/3: Follicular lymphoma, NOS

 2012
20130044 Multiple primaries--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: How many primaries are accessioned when a patient has a biopsy diagnosis of extraosseous plasmacytoma followed fourteen days later with a diagnosis of multiple myeloma on imaging? See Discussion.

On 2/3/12 the patient was diagnosed via biopsy with an extraosseous (extramedullary) plasmacytoma filling both nasal cavities. On 2/16/12 a metastatic workup was performed and showed a lucent lesion in calvarium of Rt frontal bone. 2/17/12 radiation oncology consult states, "I believe this is most likely consistent with multiple myeloma." Subsequently, the 3/1/12 CT of the left shoulder showed a 3.6 cm lytic lesion of humeral head with cortical breakthrough consistent with metastasis or myeloma.

Per the Heme DB, extramedullary plasmacytoma can transform to multiple myeloma. Does that make this multiple primaries with the histologies coded to 9734/3 and 9732/3?

Updated May 2026

This case should be accessioned as a single primary, multiple myeloma [9732/3] diagnosed on 2/3/12 per Rule M8. Abstract the acute neoplasm as a single primary when both a chronic and acute neoplasm when they are both diagnosed during the initial clinical workup AND there is documentation of only one positive tissue biopsy.

This patient only had a tissue biopsy of the nasal cavity proving the chronic neoplasm (extraosseous plasmacytoma). The acute neoplasm (multiple myeloma) was diagnosed clinically based on the scans.

 2013