System Guide
Back to Search Results

Search Results

Display Options
Display Options
Select Fields
Export Results to CSV Create Report 0
+ Add all results to report

Report Produced: 05/08/2026 09:18 AM

Report Question ID Question Discussion Answer Year
20031083 Grade, Differentiation: How is this field coded when the only description in the pathology report is "non-high grade?" Code "non-high grade" as 9 [unknown]. 2003
20031010 EOD-Lymph Nodes--Lung: Are positive "neck nodes" coded to 7 [Distant lymph nodes, other than above (including cervical lymph nodes)] in this field because we do not have a specific lymph node chain named or are they coded to 6 [Contra lateral hilar or mediastinal (incl. bilateral); supraclavicular (transverse cervical), ipsilateral or contralateral; scalene, ipsilateral or contralateral] because this code represents the lowest possible code for involved neck nodes? For cases diagnosed 1998-2003: Code EOD-Lymph Nodes as 7 [Distant lymph nodes, other than above (incl. cervical neck nodes)]. Lymph nodes in the "neck" are distant, rather than regional, for lung. 2003
20031199 CS Extension/Polyp--Colon: How is CS extension coded for tumor invasion described as "Haggitt level 4"? See Description. Polypectomy specimen revealed adenocarcinoma of the rectum in a tubulovillous adenoma. Per path extent of invasion was Haggitt level 4. The micro description of the tumor stated that there was malignant epithelial neoplasm in colonic mucosa.

In a 1985 Gastroenterology journal article, Haggitt described five levels of polyp invasion:

Level 0-confined to mucosa

Level 1-head

Level 2-Neck

Level 3-Stalk

Level 4-Submucosa of underlying colonic wall.

For cases diagnosed 2004 and forward:

Use the best information available to code CS extension. The following conversion may be used when the only information available is the Haggitt level.

Level 0 - Extension 10

Level 1 - Extension 13

Level 2 - Extension 15

Level 3 - Extension 14

Level 4 - Extension 16

 2003
20031060

Histology--Hematopoietic, NOS: Because histology 9895/3 [Acute myeloid leukemia with multilineage dysplasia] was recognized as a distinct entity by WHO with too few cases of the subtypes [with or without prior MDS] to warrant separate histology codes for each, should the wording for the non-bold definitions in ICD-O-3 be changed to the following in both the alpha and numeric sections? See Description.

AML with multilineage dysplasia and prior MDS

AML with multilineage dysplasia and without prior MDS

How do we code histology for the following case of AML?

Patient was admitted for profound anemia and thrombocytopenia with

no immediate explanation. Path final diagnosis on bone marrow biopsy: acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Per micro description: findings are

characteristic of AML that appears to be arising within the context of a myelodysplastic syndrome. The discharge diagnosis (2 days after bone marrow biopsy) read: myelodysplastic syndrome with profound anemia and

thrombocytopenia.

Do we code the histology per the final path diagnosis (code 9861/3)?

Using the current version of ICD-O-3, we could arrive at a histology code of 9895/3 based on the micro findings of AML with prior myelodysplastic syndrome. However, per the above-mentioned SEER e-mail, we would not because there was no mention of multilineage dysplasia.

For cases diagnosed prior to 1/1/2010:To assign code 9895, it is important that the diagnosis includes "multilineage dysplasia." Use code 9895 when the diagnosis is with or without prior (not concurrent) myelodysplastic syndrome AND multilineage dysplasia. Acute myeloid leukemia without prior myelodysplastic syndrome and without multilineage dysplasia is coded 9861 [Acute myeloid leukemia, NOS].

Although the wording of 9895 cannot be changed, coders can make a note that the synonyms are intended to include:

-Acute myeloid leukemia WITH multilineage dysplasia with prior myelodysplastic syndrome

and

-Acute myeloid leukemia WITH multilineage dysplasia without prior myelodysplastic syndrome.

The histology code for the case example is 9861/3 [Acute myeloid leukemia, 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.

 2003
20031100

Date of diagnosis: Can a positive VMA:HVA test be used as a date of diagnosis for neuroblastoma? See Description.

Rubin's Clinical Oncology states: Both the catecholamines and their metabolites are used as markers for neuroblastoma, with vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) and homovanillic acid (HVA) being the most commonly used. While their absolute values are not of prognostic significance, a higher VMA:HVA ratio suggests a better prognosis for patients with disseminated disease.

Updated answer July 2024

No. Do not code the neuroblastoma diagnosis date from only the date of an elevated urine catecholamine test (VMA or HVA). Neuroblastoma diagnosis should be made on the basis of tissue biopsy or bone marrow aspiration along with elevated urinary catecholamines. Elevated urinary catecholamines alone are not diagnostic of neuroblastoma.

 2003
20031096 Radiation: How would this field be coded for treatment with quadramet [radioactive samarium]? See Description. Paitent is receiving quadramet for treatment of lung metastases. Code Quadramet in the RX Summ-Radiation field as 3 [Radioisotopes]. Quadramet is a radioisotope used to palliate bone pain. The instructions in the SEER manual state: "Record all radiation that is given, even if it is palliative." 2003
20031195 EOD-Clinical Extension--Prostate: Is this field coded to 15 [Tumor identified by needle biopsy for elevated PSA] when it is unknown whether or not a TRUS was done? See Description. Patient was admitted for radiation therapy for prostate cancer. H&P states that patient had elevated PSA. PE showed benign feeling prostate. Stage is clinical T1c. There is no mention of whether or not TRUS had been done. For cases diagnosed 1998-2003: EOD extension code 15 is correct for this case example. When there is no other documentation available, the AJCC stage may be used to determine extension. 2003
20031173

First Course Treatment/Hormone Therapy--Thyroid: Is hormone replacement therapy such as levothyroxine (Synthroid) for thyroid carcinoma coded as first course of treatment? See Discussion.

Examples:

Patient was admitted for thyroidectomy with a diagnosis of probable thyroid cancer. Patient's history stated that patient received work-up for hypothyroidism and was found to have thyroid nodule. Fine needle aspirate suggested carcinoma. Patient's medications included Cytomel and Synthroid.

Patient was given levothyroxine after thyroidectomy for medullary thyroid carcinoma.

Updated December 2025

Do not code levothyroxine given to treat hypothyroidism or as cancer treatment for medullary carcinoma when given as replacement therapy and not as thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) suppression therapy. Thyroid hormone therapy is generally coded as treatment for follicular, papillary, and oncocytic thyroid carcinomas.

 2003
20031210 Other Cancer-Directed Therapy--Hematopoietic, NOS: Is there a hierarchy for selecting which code to use when a patient receives more than one type of "other treatment"? See Description. Patient was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome, probably refractory cytopenia with multilineage dysplasia. Good candidate for investigational studies for transfusion-dependent patients. Patient was enrolled in a high dose vitamin D study. Patient also received transfusions.

SEER has not established a hierarchy of the codes listed under Other Treatment. If the patient receives more than one type of other treatment as the first course of treatment, assign the code that provides the most information about how the patient was treated and use the remarks fields to explain.

Code Other Treatment for the case example above as 2 [Other experimental therapy]. Use the remarks fields to describe the transfusions and vitamin D therapy.

 2003
20031185 Primary Site: How is this field coded for a mass involving the gastroesophageal junction and lower third of the esophagus? See Description. We have an EGD report describing an ulcerated and infiltrative circumferential non-bleeding 10 cm. mass of malignant appearance found at the gastro-esophageal junction and lower third of the esophagus. The mass caused a partial obstruction. Biopsies were taken from the the gastroesophageal junction and lower third of esophagus. Pathologic diagnosis: Adenocarcinoma. Would this be coded C26.8? Search for a statement indicating the site of origin. If the site of origin cannot be determined, and there is evidence of Barrett's esophagus, code the topography in the example above to C15.5 [Lower third of esophagus]. If there is no evidence of Barrett's esophagus, assign code C16.0 [Gastroesophageal junction]. Either C15.5 or C16.0 would be preferable to C26.8, which is very non-specific and includes GI tract, pancreas and biliary tract. 2003