Site Recode

The values of SEER site recode variables are based on the primary site and histology data fields submitted to SEER by the registries. The site recode variables define the major cancer site/histology groups that are commonly used in SEER's reporting of cancer incidence data and published statistics. The site recode variables are added to the SEER databases as a convenience for researchers.

The table below contains definitions for the available site recode variables. Follow the links to view the values of primary site and histology for each grouping. Each definition shows the coding for an additional Site Recode in which mesothelioma and Kaposi sarcoma are separate categories.

SEER converts data originally coded in versions prior to ICD-O-3 to ICD-O-3, and uses the ICD-O-3 site recodes based on these converted data and cases originally coded in ICD-O-3. If all histologies for all years have been converted to ICD-O-3, use the ICD-O-3 (1/27/2003) recode. If the analyses includes any cases diagnosed 2010+, the ICD-O-3 recode with adjustment for WHO 2008 hematopoietic histologies should be used.

For cases originally coded and not converted, the ICD-O-2 (1/27/2003) and ICD-O-3 (1/27/2003) definitions can be used for cases coded in ICD-O-2 and ICD-O-3, respectively, and include the same set of site groups to ensure comparability to one another. Do not continue to use the ICD-O-2 (4/15/2002) recode except for historic analysis of ICD-O-2 cases only. Any comparisons between recodes dated 1/27/2003 and 4/15/2002 are invalid.