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Report Produced: 05/08/2026 16:51 PM

Report Question ID Question Discussion Answer Year
20130189

Reportability--Brain and CNS: Are the terms 'mass' and 'lesion' reportable terms for accessioning brain and CNS primaries? See Discussion.

With respect to reportability, the SEER Manual mentions 'tumor' and 'neoplasm,' but not 'mass' or 'lesion.' The SEER MP/H Manual states tumor, mass, lesion and neoplasm are equivalent terms for determining multiple primaries, but does this apply to reportability? If not, what is the distinction?

'Mass' and 'lesion' are not reportable terms for benign/borderline brain and CNS tumors.

Reportable terms for benign/borderline brain and CNS primaries are 'tumor' and 'neoplasm.' These terms appear in the ICD-O-3. 'Lesion' and 'mass' do not appear in the ICD-O-3. Do not use the MP/H Manual to determine reportability; page 2 of the SEER Manual is the correct source for reportability instructions.

 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
20130035

Multiple primaries--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: How many primaries are accessioned and what rule applies when a subsequent diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (95%) and follicular lymphoma, grade 3 (5%) is made following an original diagnosis of low grade CD-10 positive B-cell lymphoma, most consistent with low grade follicular lymphoma (FL) ? See Discussion.

In 2011, patient presented with a large mesenteric mass, numerous other smaller mesenteric lymph nodes, moderate retroperitoneal and extensive iliac chain adenopathy greater on right; small inguinal nodes are also present mostly on right side and splenomegaly per the CT scan. Abdominal pelvic mass needle biopsies showed low grade CD-10 positive B-cell lymphoma, most consistent with low grade follicular lymphoma (FL). The patient was treated with R-CVP with unknown response.

In June 2012, patient presented again for laparoscopy and lymph node biopsy for stated recurrence of lymphoma found on CT scan. A large mass was seen in mesentery of bowel. Abdominal mass biopsy showed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Abdominal mass #2 excisional biopsy showed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, 95%, and follicular lymphoma grade 3, 5%. The majority of the tumor is now DLBCL.

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, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma diagnosed in 2011 per Rule M7. Note 4 for Rule M7 states to change the histology code on the original abstract to the more specific histology, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in this case. There is no time restriction for rule M7. Apply rule PH11 and code the histology as 9680/3 [DLBCL] when both DLBCL and follicular lymphoma are present in the same lymph node(s).

Ambiguous terminology is not used to code a more specific histologic type per the Heme Manual. The information submitted states only that this low grade B-cell lymphoma was "most consistent with follicular lymphoma." The term "consistent with" is an ambiguous term per SEER and cannot be used to code the histology of the 2011 neoplasm as follicular lymphoma. There was no subsequent clinical statement that this patient was diagnosed with follicular lymphoma in 2011.

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.

Although the ambiguous terminology on the pathology report is not used to code the histology to follicular lymphoma, had there been a subsequent clinical statement that this patient had follicular lymphoma, the histology would be coded to follicular lymphoma [9690/3]. A diagnosis of follicular lymphoma followed by a diagnosis of DLBCL more than 21 days later is a new primary per rule M12.

 2013
20130174 MP/H Rules/Histology--Breast: Given that the current MP/H rules do not recognize specific types of lobular carcinoma, should the histology for an invasive pleomorphic lobular carcinoma be coded to 8022/3 [pleomorphic carcinoma] or 8520/3 [lobular carcinoma]? See Discussion. The MP/H rules do not seem to recognize specific types lobular carcinomas. As invasive pleomorphic lobular carcinoma is "a very rare and distinct morphological variant of invasive lobular carcinoma," (ncbi.nim.nih.gov). Is this histology best reflected in code 8022/3 [pleomorphic carcinoma] or 8520/3 [lobular carcinoma]?

Code the histology to 8520/3 [lobular carcinoma].

The 4th Edition of the WHO Classification of Tumors of the Breast now describes five variants of invasive lobular carcinoma. These variants are solid type, alveolar, pleomorphic, tubulolobular, and mixed-type. WHO has not yet proposed new ICD-O codes be assigned to these variants. The upcoming solid tumor (MP/H) revisions will include instructions on coding these variants.

2013
20130052 Histology--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: How is the histology coded if a biopsy final diagnosis is diffuse large B-cell lymphoma but the physician's final diagnosis favored anaplastic large cell lymphoma? See Discussion. Patient has diffuse intrathoracic, intraabdominal and pelvic lymphadenopathy. An inguinal lymph node biopsy showed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The physician's final diagnosis favored anaplastic large cell lymphoma, but wanted to confirm this with FISH. The patient clinically deteriorated so the FISH studies were not done. Which histology is coded?

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

The histology should be coded as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma [9680/3]. The biopsy pathology report definitively diagnosed DLBCL. The physician's diagnosis cannot be used because it is an ambiguous diagnosis only, "favored anaplastic large cell lymphoma." "Favor" is an ambiguous term.

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
20130170

MP/H Rules/Histology--Breast: What is the histology code for "invasive carcinoma of the breast, no special type" as the final diagnosis on a pathology report? See Discussion.

Recently pathology reports for breast primaries are no longer listing invasive ductal carcinoma as the histology on many cases if the treating physician calls the cancer an invasive ductal carcinoma. The pathology report (final diagnosis and synopsis) state this is invasive carcinoma, no special type.

Upon inquiry to the pathology department, the response received stated, In 2012, the WHO got rid of ductal carcinoma as a specific type. So what would have been called Invasive ductal carcinoma, Not Otherwise Specified (NOS), is now being called Invasive carcinoma, No Special Type (NST). In the new WHO classification, lobular, tubular, cribriform, mucinous, etc. are the special types. But ductal is gone.

Is this a change in terminology? Should these cases be coded as 8500/3 [ductal carcinoma, NOS] or 8010/3 [carcinoma, NOS]?

Code the histology to ductal carcinoma, NOS [8500/3] for a pathology report with a final diagnosis of "invasive carcinoma, no special type." Do not code the histology to carcinoma, NOS [8010/3].

The 4th Edition of the WHO Classification of Tumors of the Breast refers to invasive ductal carcinoma as invasive carcinoma, no special type. The ICD-O-3 code remains the same as invasive duct carcinoma [8500/3]. The next revision to the MP/H Solid Tumor Rules will clarify this issue.

2013
20130181 Multiple Primaries--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: Should Rule M4 or the Heme DB be used to determine whether diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the large intestine and peripheral T-cell lymphoma of the bone marrow represents one or two primaries? See Discussion.

The Heme DB identifies these as new primaries:

10/12/12 Large intestine, biopsy: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

10/12/12 Bone marrow biopsy: Peripheral T-cell lymphoma.

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

Per Rule M15, accession two primaries. According to Rule M15, use the multiple primaries calculator to determine the number of primaries for all cases that do not meet the criteria of M1-M14. Per the calculator, this scenario represents two primaries.

Assuming the only area of involvement is the large intestine, code the histology to 9680/3 [diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma] and per Rule PH24 code the primary site to C189 [colon, NOS]. According to PH24, one is to code the primary site to the organ when lymphoma is present only in an organ.

Rule PH26 applies to the second primary. Assuming the only area of involvement is the bone marrow, code the histology to 9702/3 [peripheral T-cell lymphoma] and code the primary site to C421 [bone marrow]. According to PH26, one is to code the primary site to bone marrow (C421) when lymphoma is present only in the bone marrow.

Rule M4 does not apply for this case. Rule M4 applied when you have two or more types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the same anatomic location. That is not the case in this scenario.

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
20130184

Reportability--Appendix: Are low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms reportable?

For cases diagnosed prior to 1/1/2022

A low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm (LAMN) is not reportable. The WHO classification designates LAMN with the behavior code /1 [uncertain whether benign or malignant].

 2013
20130127 Reportability--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: When did smoldering myeloma become reportable?

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

Smoldering multiple myeloma [9732/3] has always been a reportable neoplasm. Per the Abstractor Notes section in the Heme, smoldering multiple myeloma is a variant of multiple myeloma in which the diagnostic requirements for multiple myeloma are met, but there is no organ damage. The patient is usually asymptomatic.

Smoldering myeloma is listed under the Alternate Names section in the Heme DB for multiple myeloma [9732/3] to clarify that it is a reportable neoplasm.

Report all new diagnoses of smoldering multiple myeloma now. Registries are not required to spend time and effort to find these cases if they have not been reporting them in the past. However, report earlier earlier cases if encountered today while performing casefinding or chart review procedures.

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
20130007

MP/H Rules/Histology--Colon: What rule applies and how is histology coded if a colon tumor is composed of moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine tumor, grade 1 (G1)? See Discussion.

Intestine, large -- moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma

Pathological stage: IIIA (T2 N1a Mx) -- Neuroendocrine tumor, G1

Addendum comment: The results of the immunochemical study are compatible with a neuroendocrine tumor, G1.

For cases diagnosed 2007 or later, the correct histology code is 8244/3 [composite carcinoid]. The steps used to arrive at this decision are:

Step 1: Open the Multiple Primary and Histology Coding Rules Manual. Choose one of the three formats (i.e., flowchart, matrix or text). Go to the Colon Histology rules because site specific rules have been developed for this primary.

Step 2: Start at the SINGLE TUMOR module, rule H1. The rules are intended to be reviewed in consecutive order within a module. Stop at rule H9. Code the histology as 8244/3 [composite carcinoid] when the diagnosis is adenocarcinoma and carcinoid tumor.

Neuroendocrine tumor, grade 1 (G1) is synonymous with carcinoid tumor [8240/3] for the purpose of rule H9.

2013