Report | Question ID | Question | Discussion | Answer | Year |
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20051070 | CS Lymph Nodes--Breast: Which category has priority when both apply, "Regional lymph nodes, NOS" or "Stated as N_, NOS"? See Discussion. | Example: When there is a clinical diagnosis of axillary lymph node metastasis for a breast primary on a physical exam "Enlarged axillary lymph nodes suspicious for metastatic involvement", as well as a clinical N1 designation, do we code as 60 [Axillary LNS, NOS] or 26 [Stated as N1, NOS]? | This answer was provided in the context of CSv1 coding guidelines. The response may not be used after your registry database has been converted to CSv2.For the example provided, assign code 25 [Movable axillary lymph node(s)...] for "Enlarged axillary lymph nodes suspicious for metastatic involvement." Code 60 [Axillary/regional lymph node(s), NOS] is the least specific and would not be used in this case because axillary nodes are defined in code 25. Code 26 is for cases in which "N1, NOS" documented by the physician is the only information available. |
2005 |
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20021146 | Primary Site--Lymphoma: Is the primary site likely to be extranodal for a lymphoma that presents in an extranodal site and lymph nodes which are regional for that site? Is the primary site also likely to be extranodal if an extranodal site and lymph nodes are excised? See discussion. | Example: Work-up included a negative CXR. A CT showed multiple dilated loops of small bowel consistent with obstruction and nodular prominence at the base of bladder. Laparotomy with resection of small bowel and multiple biopsies of enlarged mesentric lymph nodes performed. Final path diagnosis: Lymphoma in a "mesenteric mass" and in "small bowel." There was no mention of lymph nodes in the final diagnosis and the detailed micro described the mesenteric mass as just adipose tissue replaced by lymphoma. However, the gross for that specimen states 4 lymph nodes were found in the fat. The small bowel micro described an ulcerated lesion of the small bowel extending into muscularis. | For cases diagnosed prior to 1/1/2010:Code the Primary Site field to C17.9 [small bowel] for the example. When an extranodal organ and that organ's regional nodes are involved, the extranodal site is most likely the primary, unless there is extension from the regional nodes to the organ. If the primary site cannot be determined for a lymphoma diagnosed in both a nodal and extranodal site, code to C77.9 [lymph nodes NOS]. For cases diagnosed 2010 forward, refer to the Hematopoietic and Lymphoid Neoplasm Case Reportability and Coding Manual and the Hematopoietic Database (Hematopoietic DB) provided by SEER on its website to research your question. If those resources do not adequately address your issue, submit a new question to SINQ. |
2002 |
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20110079 | MP/H Rules/Histology: In the MP/H Manual, where is the documentation indicating "focal" is not a term that can be used to code histology? See Discussion. | Example: neuroendocrine carcinoma with focal squamous differentiation. | For the purposes of the MP/H rules, the term "focal" is not used to indicate a more specific histology. Terms that may be used to indicate a more specific histology are listed in the relevant histology rules. For example, see Breast histology rule H3. Notice the terms listed in the note for this rule are "type, subtype, predominantly, with features of, major, with ___ differentiation, architecture or pattern." The term "focal" is not included. This concept will be clarified in future revisions to MP/H rules. | 2011 |
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20071069 | First Course Treatment--Melanoma: How and where is the excision for an in-transit metastasis coded if the in-transit metastasis is coded in CS Lymph Nodes? See Discussion. | Excision of skin of scalp nodule reveals in transit metastasis of melanoma. Patient also has lung metastasis and begins systemic treatment. No primary tumor identified. | Code the excision in Surgical Procedure of Other Site because no primary tumor was identified. | 2007 |
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20010084 | EOD-Size of Primary Tumor: Can you code the known size of the residual tumor in a further resected specimen if the size of the tumor in a prior excisional biopsy is unknown? See discussion. | Excisional biopsy is done prior to admission and the tumor size is unknown. Pt is admitted for a mastectomy and the residual tumor size is 5 mm. | For cases diagnosed between 1998-2003:
Code the EOD-Size of Primary Tumor field to 999 [unknown]. The majority of the tumor would have been removed during excisional biopsy and it is possible that the tumor could have been quite large. |
2001 |
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20120084 | MP/H Rules/Multiple primaries/Histology: How many primaries are accessioned and how is the histology coded if a patient has a 1.2 cm hepatocellular carcinoma and a 7 cm hepatocellular carcinoma, solid, acinar and trabecular type? See Discussion. | FINAL Diagnosis: 2 separate lesions of the liver 1)1.2 cm hepatocellular carcinoma and 2) 7 cm hepatocellular carcinoma, solid, acinar, and trabecular type. | For cases diagnosed 2007 or later, accession a single primary, hepatocellular carcinoma [8170/3].
The steps used to arrive at this decision are:
Open the Multiple Primary and Histology Coding Rules Manual. Choose one of the three formats (i.e., flowchart, matrix or text) and go to the Other Sites MP rules because liver does not have site specific rules developed.
Start at the MULTIPLE TUMORS module, rule M3. The rules are intended to be reviewed in consecutive order within a module. There is one tumor with HCC and another tumor with a specific type of HCC.
Hepatocellular carcinomas vary and often display different architectural patterns such as solid, acinar and trabecular. |
2012 |
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20130041 | Reportability--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: Is a flow cytometry immunophenotyping of peripheral blood that demonstrates a chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) phenotype reportable as CLL? See Discussion. | Final Diagnosis: "Peripheral blood, flow cytometry immunophenotyping: Monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) phenotype; Negative for Zap 70; No abnormal T-cell population identified; CD34-positive blasts are not increased. | For cases diagnosed 2010 and forward, access the Hematopoietic Database at http://seer.cancer.gov/seertools/hemelymph.
This is reportable. Code the histology to 9823/3 [chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)]. Per Rule PH5, Note 1, CLL will always have peripheral blood involvement. Based on the provided information, this patient's peripheral blood is positive for 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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20091056 | MP/H Rules/Histology--Ovary: How is histology coded for an ovarian tumor diagnosed as an "ovarian clear cell cystadenocarcinoma"? See Discussion. | Final diagnosis for a resected ovary is ovarian clear cell cystadenocarcinoma. In applying the MP/H rules, rule H16 does not apply because cystadenocarcinoma is not included in Table 2. As a result rule H17 applies. Thus it appears the histology should be coded 8440. Cystadenocarcinoma is a specific histologic type and it is assigned the numerically higher histology code. This result differs from pre-2007 SINQ entry 20041045 that states: Code histology to 8310/3 [Clear cell adenocarcinoma, NOS]. This is consistent with the WHO Classification of Tumours and reflects the current practice of placing less emphasis on "cyst-" prefix for ovarian malignancies. | For cases diagnosed 2007 or later: Assign code 8310 [Clear cell adenocarcinoma] according to rule H13. Ignore "cyst" when determining the histologic type for ovarian malignancies. For this case, the only histology is clear cell. The histologies for the common ovarian epithelial malignancies are serous, mucinous, endometrioid, clear cell, and transitional cell/Brenner. This clarification will be added to the rules in the next revision. |
2009 |
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20100052 | Reportability/Primary Site: What is the reportability status and primary site for a papillary carcinoma of thyroid tissue arising in an otherwise benign mature monodermal cystic teratoma (struma ovarii)? See Discussion. | Final diagnosis on the pathology report states, "One ovary showing mature monodermal cystic teratoma composed of thyroid tissue (struma ovarii)." The pathology COMMENT section states, "There is a 0.1 cm focus of thyroid tissue within the struma ovarii showing cytologic features of papillary carcinoma. This finding is likely of no clinical consequence." | A papillary carcinoma of thyroid tissue in benign struma ovarii (mature cystic teratoma) is reportable.
These ovarian tumors contain a diversity of tissues including hair, teeth, bone, thyroid, etc. This reportable malignancy arose in thyroid tissue within the ovarian tumor. Code the primary site to ovary. Code to the actual organ in which the cancer arose. This will keep the case in the appropriate category for surgery coding, regional nodes, staging, etc. |
2010 |
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20091009 | MP/H Rules/Histology--Kidney: How do you code histology for a renal cell carcinoma when pathologists disagree as to whether or not the tumor is consistent with thyroid-like follicular carcinoma of the kidney? See Discussion. | Final diagnosis states 'left radical nephrectomy, renal cell carcinoma.' The CAP Histologic Type is listed as: Unclassified, most consistent with primary thyroid-like follicular carcinoma of the kidney.' Because of the unusual histology it was sent for a consult to a genitourinary pathology specialist. His response was: 'histologic features not typical for any of the known subtypes of renal cell carcinoma and are not consistent with primary thyroid-like follicular carcinoma of the kidney, a distinct renal tumor that we have recently published in the literature.' The tumor was TTF-1 negative, arguing against metastasis from a thyroid primary. | For cases diagnosed 2007 or later, assign code 8312 [renal cell carcinoma, NOS]. The diagnosis is renal cell carcinoma, but the specific type is in question. | 2009 |