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Report Produced: 05/07/2026 18:47 PM

Report Question ID Question Discussion Answer Year
20110107 Primary site/Histology--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: How are these fields coded for a precursor T lymphoblastic leukemia involving the bone marrow and peripheral blood (per pathology) with a clinically noted large mediastinal mass and cervical lymphadenopathy? See Discussion. The patient had a large mediastinal mass and cervical lymphadenopathy, however, no biopsy was performed of either area nor was there a specific statement indicating involvement. The bone marrow biopsy showed 100% cellular marrow with involvement by precursor T lymphoblastic leukemia. The peripheral blood also showed precursor T lymphoblastic leukemia. The discharge summary and office notes state the diagnosis as T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

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

Code the histology to 9837/3 [adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma] and the primary site to C778 [lymph nodes, multiple regions]. Per Rule PH8, code the primary site to the site of origin when lymph node(s) or lymph node region(s), tissue(s) or organs are involved. A statement of "mediastinal mass" and lymphadenopathy for lymphoma primaries is equivalent to lymph node involvement. To identify the more specific primary site, you need to move to Rule PH21 that indicates you are to code the primary site as multiple lymph node regions, NOS [C778] when multiple lymph node regions, as defined by ICD-O-3, are involved and it is not possible to identify the lymph node region where the lymphoma originated.

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
20110015 Primary site/Histology: Do the 4/1/09 changes in the ICD-O-3 Site/Type Validation table regarding the coding of primary site for intestinal type adenocarcinoma mean that the former valid site/histology combinations are now impossible and require review from a given diagnosis date forward? See Discussion.

Per the SEER Errata for ICD-O-3 Site/Type Validation List, April 1, 2009, adenocarcinoma, intestinal type, was removed as a valid site/histology combination for the following primary sites: C150-C155, C158-C159, C170-C173, C178-C179, C180-C189, C199, C209, C210-C212, C218.

  • Does this mean that these combinations cannot be used? If so, then why is an override allowed for these site/type combinations? Shouldn't these site/type combinations be added to the impossible site/type combinations table?

  • SINQ 20081085 states that "8144/3 will be removed from the valid site/histology list for large intestine, small intestine, and rectum." It appears from the Site/Type Validation table that a decision was made to also remove esophagus sites as a valid combination with histology code of 8144. Please explain the rationale.

  • Cases that were miscoded to 8144/3 will need to be identified for correction. What date of diagnosis should be the reference point used in making the necessary corrections related to this change? Do we only need to review cases diagnosed 1/1/2009 forward or should all cases be corrected regardless of date of diagnosis?

    • The site/type edit identifies unlikely combinations of primary site and histologic type.

  • Intestinal type adenocarcinoma occurs in the stomach. It would be rare in another primary site, but not impossible.

  • It was decided that all digestive organ sites, except stomach, would be removed from the list. That is why esophagus is not listed as a valid site.

  • The site/type edit is for all years. Cases for all years have to be reviewed for combinations of site and type that are no longer on the list. If it is documented in the medical record that the primary site and histology combination are valid, set the over-ride flag so that the case will not come up for review again.

    		• 2011
    		20110126 Multiple primaries--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: How many primaries are to be accessioned, and what rule applies, when the patient has a history of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma diagnosed in 2003, a follicular lymphoma diagnosed in 2009, and another diagnosis of follicular lymphoma in 2010? Is the application of the multiple primary rules effected if it is unknown whether the patient was ever disease free? See Discussion.

    Patient has a history of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma involving multiple lymph node regions (site C778) with bone marrow involvement diagnosed in 2003 and a history of follicular lymphoma confined to the thyroid and neck lymph nodes diagnosed in 2009. In 2010 the patient was diagnosed with follicular lymphoma in the inguinal and abdominal lymph nodes.

    The 2003 diagnosis of DLBCL and the 2009 diagnosis of follicular lymphoma are the same primary according to the 2009 rules, the Single Versus Subsequent Primaries Table.

    What rule is used to determine whether the 2010 diagnosis of follicular lymphoma represents a new primary? Which histologies are compared using the rules: the 2010 follicular lymphoma diagnosis to the 2009 follicular diagnosis or the 2010 follicular lymphoma diagnosis to the 2003 DLBCL diagnosis?

    This case should be accessioned as one primary.

    Reportability is determined by the year of diagnosis. The original DLBCL was diagnosed in 2003 and the follicular lymphoma in 2009. The pre-2010 rules are used for both cases. Per the Single Versus Subsequent Primaries Table, these are the same primary. It is reported with the histology 9680/3 [diffuse large B-cell lymphoma]

    Do not compare the DLBCL diagnosed in 2003 and the follicular lymphoma diagnosed in 2010 because the determination of the number of primaries for the two specific histologic types was done (as it should have been) using the rules in effect in 2009 when the follicular lymphoma was first diagnosed. The determination of a single or multiple primaries is made the first time the patient presents with the two different diseases; it is not changed when the same disease process reappears after 2010.

    		2011
    		20110104 Primary site--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: Should the primary site be coded to C421 [bone marrow] or C770-C779 [lymph nodes] for an adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma [9827/3] that presented with a positive bone marrow biopsy and involvement of lymph nodes and the lung?

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

    Code the primary site to the involved lymph nodes [C770-C779]. Per Rule PH 8, it indicates you are to code the primary site to the site of origin when lymph node(s) or lymph node region(s), tissue(s) or organs are involved. Note 2 further states that the bone marrow may or may not be involved. If the bone marrow is involved, code this information in the CS Extension field.

    Per the Abstractor Notes section in the Heme DB, this is a systemic disease with widespread lymph node involvement as well as involvement of the peripheral blood. In addition, systemic involvement of extranodal sites (including lung) are often involved.

    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
    		20110137 MP/H Rules/Histology--Skin: How is the histology coded for a "malignant baso-melanocytic tumor" arising in the skin of right shoulder?

    Code the histology as melanoma, NOS [8720/3].

    This is a malignant skin tumor with both melanoma and basal cell carcinoma histologies. There is no ICD-O-3 code for this entity. Per our subject matter expert, code the histology to 8720/3 [melanoma, NOS] and document the diagnosis of malignant baso-melanocytic tumor in a text field because melanoma is reportable to SEER and basal cell carcinoma is not.

    		 2011
    		20110127

    Primary Site--Brain and CNS: Are meninges surrounding cranial nerves cranial meninges [C700] or a part of the specific nerve's sheath? Is the primary site for an optic nerve sheath meningioma coded to optic nerve [C723] or cranial meninges [C700]?

    Code the primary site to cranial meninges [C700].

    		 2011
    		20110003 MP/H Rules/Histology--Colon: Which MP/H rule applies and what is the histology code for a "large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (arising in adenocarcinoma)"? See Discussion.

    Per the pathology report COMMENT section, "In addition to usual adenocarcinoma, a significant portion of this tumor displays features consistent with large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, an aggressive neoplasm which has a poorer prognosis than adenocarcinoma of comparable stage."

    Is histology coded to 8574/3 [adenocarcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation] for this case?

    For cases diagnosed 2007 or later:

    Code histology to 8244/3 [composite carcinoid]. Rule H9 applies: Code 8244 [composite carcinoid] when the diagnosis is adenocarcinoma and carcinoid tumor. WHO describes these tumors as "mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC)." They have components of adenocarcinoma mixed with high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC), which can be either small cell or large cell.

    The next version of the MP/H rules for colon will make this clear by adding a note regarding this issue to Rule H9.

    		2011
    		20110123

    Reportability--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: Are the terms EBV positive B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder with or without the term "of the elderly" and iatrogenic EBV positive lymphoproliferative disorder reportable? See Discussion.

    The only reportable term listed is "EBV positive B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder of the elderly." Are the following cases reportable?

    • Does the diagnosis of EBV positive B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder specifically have to include the expression "of the elderly" to be reportable? Is there an age range associated with the term "of the elderly"?
    • Is "iatrogenic EBV positive lymphoproliferative disorder" reportable?
    • Is a diagnosis of "EBV positive B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder" reportable when there is no further classification of the LPD as lymphoma?

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

    1. EBV positive B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder is reportable. Code EBV positive lymphoproliferative disorder as DLBCL [9680/3], the term "of the elderly" does not have to be part of the diagnosis.
    • The term "iatrogenic" simply means that there is no known cause for the disease. Iatrogenic EBV positive lymphoproliferative disorder is reportable.
    • EBV positive B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder is a synonym for DLBCL [9680/3]. You do not need to have the lymphoma (DLBCL) diagnosis.

    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
    		20110118

    Reportability--Colon: Is a polypectomy that is suspicious for invasive adenocarcinoma followed by a partial colectomy with no residual neoplasm reportable? See Discussion.

    08/28/2009 Cecum biopsy showed an adenomatous polyp with focal areas suspicious for invasive adenocarcinoma.

    SINQ 20071060 states a suspicious biopsy that is disproven by a subsequent surgical procedure is not reportable. That does not seem to apply in this case because the patient had a suspicious finding on a surgical procedure (polypectomy), followed by a second surgical procedure that was negative. Is it possible that the polypectomy removed the entire tumor and the suspicious diagnosis should be reported?

    This case is reportable.

    It is possible that the polypectomy removed the entire tumor. Invasive carcinoma in a polyp does not mean that is has invaded the stalk of the polyp. If the stalk is not invaded, all of the cancer may have been removed by a polypectomy.

    		 2011
    		20110011 Reportability--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: Is a 2010 diagnosis of "thrombocytopenia of unknown etiology" reportable? See Discussion.

    No exact match returned after entering the term "thrombocytopenia of unknown etiology" in the Heme DB. However, the program does indicate there are 17 results that could be displayed that show any of the 4 terms entered. Clicking on the search label indicates there are no matches either.

    The only result returned after entering "thrombocytopenia" into the search box is "refractory thrombocytopenia."

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

    "Thrombocytopenia of unknown etiology" is not reportable. Thrombocytopenia refers to a low platelet count which causes bleeding. Thrombocytopenia can be caused by viral infections, excessive alcohol usage, HIV, and other causes (including chemotherapy). If the diagnosis is not "refractory thrombocytopenia" the case is not reportable. Appendix F lists this term as non-reportable.

    If you do not see the term in the Heme DB under either the Name column or the Alternative Names section for the results returned, it is not reportable. The only reportable term that contains the word thrombocytopenia is refractory thrombocytopenia. Therefore, thrombocytopenia of unknown etiology is not reportable.

    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