| Report | Question ID | Question | Discussion | Answer | Year |
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20120092 | MP/H Rules/Multiple primaries/Recurrence -- Lung: How many primaries are accessioned if a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung is followed three years later by a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of the lung if the pathologist reviews all the slides and states the subsequent diagnosis is a recurrence? See Discussion. | 7/12/2007 Left upper lobe lung lobectomy: Squamous cell carcinoma.
3/09/2010 Left lung completion pneumonectomy: Adenocarcinoma, predominantly acinar. The diagnosis comment on the pathology report indicates the previous lobectomy specimen from 2007 was reviewed and "there are areas that appear histologically similar to the current neoplasm. Thus, the findings are most compatible with recurrence."
Despite the difference in histology, is this a single primary per the MP/H Coding Rules, General Information instruction 7 because the pathologist did refer to the 3/9/2010 diagnosis as a "recurrence" of the 7/12/2007 diagnosis after reviewing the slides? |
For cases diagnosed 2007 or later, accession a single primary, left upper lobe squamous cell carcinoma diagnosed 7/27/2007.
The steps used to arrive at this decision are:
Go to the General Information notes for Determining Multiple Primaries for Solid Malignant Tumors in the Multiple Primary and Histology Coding Rules Manual.
General Information Rule 7 states "Use the multiple primary rules as written unless a pathologist compares the present tumor to the "original" tumor and states that this tumor is a recurrence of cancer from the previous primary."
Accession a single primary. Do not apply the Multiple Primary rules because the pathologist compared the 2007 and 2010 slides and determined this was a recurrence and not a new primary. |
2012 |
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20120059 | Primary site/Reportability--Breast: Is a "right nipple skin" biopsy that demonstrates squamous cell carcinoma reportable using a primary site of C500? See Discussion. | In the 2011 SEER Manual Reportability Examples, example 3, it states a "biopsy-proven squamous cell carcinoma of the nipple" is reportable when the subsequent resection shows "no evidence of residual malignancy in the nipple epidermis." However, this example does not specify the biopsy is from the nipple skin and the ICD-O-3 does not list nipple skin as a synonym for code C500. | Because the site is specifically stated to "skin" of nipple [C44.5], this case is not reportable.
If possible, you may wish to confirm the type of biopsy performed. If the biopsy was done by FNA or needle biopsy, the biopsy tissue should contain a full-thickness of skin and subcutaneous breast (nipple) tissue. If that is the case, this tumor would likely be a reportable squamous cell carcinoma of nipple [C50.0]. If, however, this was a punch biopsy it is more likely a non-reportable squamous cell carcinoma of the skin [C44.5]. |
2012 |
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20120021 | Multiple primaries--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: How are the terms "chronic" and "acute" used to help determine the number of primaries to be abstracted and what rule applies when a diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is followed two years later by a diagnosis of follicular lymphoma, grade 3A of 3? See Discussion. |
7/31/08 Biopsy of the left supraclavicular lymph node diagnosed Stage IIIB DLBCL [9680/3] 10/14/10 Biopsy of a right supraclavicular lymph node diagnosed follicular lymphoma, grade 3A or 3 [9698/3]. Which multiple primary rule applies to determine the number of primaries to report? Is Rule M4 ignored? Does Rule M13 apply because follicular lymphoma normally transforms to DLBCL? Is this still a transformation because the follicular lymphoma came AFTER the DLBCL (the "acute" reverted to "chronic")? Or does Rule M15 apply, and the Multiple Primaries Calculator should be used to determine the number of primaries to report? Are "transformations" the acute phases of the more chronic disease? The Heme Manual and previous training sessions do not make this apparent. |
For cases diagnosed 2010 and forward, access the Hematopoietic Database at http://seer.cancer.gov/seertools/hemelymph. This case should be accessioned as two primaries per Rule M13. Code the histology for the 7/31/08 diagnosis to 9680/3 [diffuse large B-cell lymphoma] and the code the histology for the 10/14/2010 diagnosis to 9698/3 [follicular lymphoma, grade 3A of 3]. Rule M13 applies to this case because the neoplasm was originally diagnosed in the blast or acute phase (DLBCL) and reverted to a less aggressive or chronic phase (follicular lymphoma) after treatment. Per the "Transformations to" section in the Heme DB for follicular lymphoma, grade 3 transforms to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma [9680/3]. This means that the follicular lymphoma is the chronic neoplasm and that DLBCL is the acute neoplasm. In this case, the chronic neoplasm was diagnosed after the acute neoplasm was diagnosed and treated (with chemotherapy). Do not Stop at Rule M4 because diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma (both NHL's) were not present in the same node(s) AT THE SAME TIME. 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. |
2012 |
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20120057 | Reportability--Appendix: Is a low grade mucinous neoplasm of uncertain malignant potential with an in situ mucinous cystadenoma component reportable? See Discussion. | The patient was diagnosed with pseudomyxoma peritonei and the pathology report final diagnosis stated, "Low grade mucinous neoplasm, of uncertain malignant potential, involving a dilated appendix (5cm) with the following features: In situ mucinous cystadenoma component is identified, with low-grade cytology of neoplastic epithelium." Does the presence of an in situ component make this mucinous cystadenoma of the appendix reportable based on the ICD-O-3 matrix rule? | This diagnosis is not reportable. Cystadenoma is not reportable. The "in situ" description in this case does not make cystadenoma reportable.
According to our expert pathologist consultant, this is a "non-invasive, low grade, epithelial proliferation in an often cystic appendiceal tumor, 8480/1. If this has leaked or ruptured it can seed the peritoneal cavity causing pseudomyxoma peritonei." |
2012 |
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20120067 | MP/H Rules/Histology--Thyroid: How is the histology coded for a poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma with rhabdoid phenotype arising in a papillary carcinoma? | For cases diagnosed 2007 or later, code the histology as papillary carcinoma, poorly differentiated [8260/33].
The WHO classification lists grade III papillary carcinoma as one of the synonyms for poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma.
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). Go to the Other Sites Histo rules because site specific rules have not been developed for this primary. Start with the SINGLE TUMOR: INVASIVE ONLY module, rule H8. The rules are intended to be reviewed in consecutive order within a module. Per rule H13 "phenotype" is not a term used to code a more specific histology. Moving to Rule H14 the histology is coded 8260/3 [papillary adenocarcinoma]. |
2012 | |
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20120089 | MP/H Rules/Histology--Colon: The final diagnosis on a path report for a colon specimen says: Is a colon specimen final diagnosis of carcinoma in situ in a serrated adenoma coded to 8010/2, 8210/2 or 8213/2? | For cases diagnosed 2007 or later, code the histology as 8213/2 [carcinoma in situ in a serrated adenoma].
The steps used to arrive at this decision are:
: Apply ICD-O-3 rule F (Matrix principle) and assign the behavior code /2 when the behavior assigned by the pathologist differs from the usual behavior as given in the ICD-O-3.
: 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 Colon Histology rules.
: Start at the SINGLE TUMOR module, Rule H1. The rules are intended to be reviewed in consecutive order within a module. Stop at rule H4. Code the histology as 8213/2.
Note: The histology 8213 (adenocarcinoma in serrated adenoma) will be added to rule H4 in the next revision. |
2012 | |
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20120050 | Multiple primaries/Histology--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: How many primaries are accessioned and what histology codes apply if a patient has a 1998 diagnosis of essential thrombocythemia and a recent clinical diagnosis of secondary myelofibrosis? See Discussion. | The patient has a history of essential thrombocythemia (ET) since 1998. This has been treated daily with aspirin. A recent bone marrow biopsy was consistent with myeloproliferative disorder with excess blasts, marked extensive reticulin marrow fibrosis with osteosclerosis, excess blasts (11%) in the marrow aspirate and peripheral blood. JAK2 mutation was present in a small minority of cells. The physician stated patient was, "considered to have secondary myelofibrosis and was started on Jakafi." | Updated April 2026 For cases diagnosed 2010 and forward, access the Hematopoietic Database (Heme DB) at http://seer.cancer.gov/seertools/hemelymph.
Per the Heme DB, entry Myelofibrosis, a secondary myelofibrosis is not a reportable case. Secondary myelofibrosis is not listed as a synonym for primary myelofibrosis in the Heme DB. The term "secondary myelofibrosis" means that the myelofibrosis was caused by, in this case, the essential thrombocythemia.
The diagnosis "consistent with myeloproliferative disorder" is also not a new reportable diagnosis. "Myeloproliferative disorder" refers to a group of diseases (an NOS category) that includes essential thrombocythemia, which was originally diagnosed in 1998, prior to reportability for this disease type.
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. |
2012 |
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20120060 | Primary Site/Reportability: What is the primary site and reportability status of a "pancreatic endocrine neoplasm" that arises in the heterotopic pancreas of the splenic hilum that is stated to be a "well-differentiated endocrine tumor, uncertain behavior per the WHO classification"? See Discussion. | SINQ 20120035 states that well differentiated pancreatic endocrine neoplasms should be reported with histology code 8240/3. However, the pathology report provides the WHO Classification which states "uncertain behavior." Should this tumor still be reported as 8240/3?
If reportable, how is the primary site coded? The tumor arose in heterotopic pancreas (in the splenic hilum), which is pancreatic tissue found outside the usual anatomical location of the pancreas. Per the pathology report, the tumor did not invade the spleen. Should the primary site be coded to C48.1 [mesentery]? The patient is female and the coding schema for "Peritoneum for Females" would apply to the case. However, none of those CS extension codes seem to apply to this localized case.
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This case is reportable. Code the primary site to C25.9 [pancreas, NOS] and the histology to 8240/3 [neuroendocrine tumor (NET), Grade 1].
Per the 2012 SEER Manual, code the site in which the primary tumor originated. This neoplasm arose in pancreatic tissue and will behave accordingly, even though this pancreatic tissue is not located in the usual place.
Pancreatic endocrine and neuroendocrine neoplasms are essentially the same thing. However, they are described in two different WHO classifications; the endocrine classification and the digestive system classification. The digestive system classification is more recent, and is preferred by our expert pathologist consultant. The term "neuroendocrine" is to be used now, rather than "endocrine." In the pancreas, "well differentiated endocrine tumor" is synonymous with "neuroendocrine tumor (NET) Grade 1" and is coded 8240/3. |
2012 |
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20120012 | Histology--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: How is histology coded if the pathology report shows diffuse large B-cell lymphoma arising in a small cell lymphoma - Richter's transformation, also compatible with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL)? | For cases diagnosed 2010 and forward, access the Hematopoietic Database at http://seer.cancer.gov/seertools/hemelymph.
Code the histology to 9680/3 [diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)].
For CLL (and CLL/SLL), Richter's transformation represents when CLL changes into DLBCL. In this case, there was a biopsy that demonstrated a diagnosis of the chronic disease (CLL/SLL) transforming (Richter's transformation) into an acute disease DLBCL.
Per Rule M8, one is instructed to abstract the acute neoplasm as a single primary when both a chronic (CLL/SLL) and an acute neoplasm (diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)) are diagnosed simultaneously there is documentation of only one positive bone marrow biopsy, lymph node biopsy or tissue biopsy.
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. |
2012 | |
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20120055 | Surgery of Primary Site--Kidney, renal pelvis: How do you code a laparoscopic renal mass core biopsy followed by cryoablation of the tumor? See Discussion. | The note under the local tumor destruction codes states "No specimen sent to pathology from this surgical event 10-15." The patient had a pathologic specimen submitted from his core biopsy, but this was not a tumor excision or excisional biopsy [codes 20, 26-27]. Is the correct surgery code 13 [cryosurgery] because the tumor was only ablated and not excised, or surgery code 23 [any combination of 20 or 26-27 with cryosurgery] because a pathology specimen was submitted? | Code for Surgery of Primary Site to 13 [Cryosurgery]. While the core biopsy provided a pathology specimen, it is not coded as surgery of the primary site. | 2012 |
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