Histology (Pre-2007): What code should be assigned to acinar adenocarcinoma and ductal adenocarcinoma?
For tumors diagnosed prior to 2007:
Assign code 8255 [Adenocarcinoma with mixed subtypes]. According to histology rule #4 for a single tumor on page 86 of the 2004 SEER manual, use a combination code if one exists.
For tumors diagnosed 2007 or later, refer to the MP/H rules. If there are still questions about how this type of tumor should be coded, submit a new question to SINQ and include the difficulties you are encountering in applying the MP/H rules.
Histology (Pre-2007)--Pancreas: Is a "composite mucinous adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma" coded to 8560 [adenosquamous carcinoma] or should 8480 [mucinous adenocarcinoma] be coded rather than 8070 [squamous carcinoma] because mucinous adenocarcinoma is a higher histology code than squamous carcinoma?
For tumors diagnosed prior to 2007:
Assign code 8560 [adenosquamous carcinoma]. According to our pathologist consultant, the mix of adenocarcinoma and squamous carcinoma is adenosquamous carcinoma. Adenosquamous tumors are rare, but known, representing 3-4% of pancreatic carcinomas.
For tumors diagnosed 2007 or later, refer to the MP/H rules. If there are still questions about how this type of tumor should be coded, submit a new question to SINQ and include the difficulties you are encountering in applying the MP/H rules.
Reportability--Lung: One of our facilities has a case they are not really sure how to report.
This patient came in for a double lung transplant due to COPD which occurred on 1/27/14. At time of transplant, the team found out the donor hospital had identified a small nodule in the right lower lobe donor lung, which they biopsied and deemed negative. However, the slides were reviewed and felt to represent adenocarcinoma. The team performed a right lower lobe lobectomy of the donor lung before transplanting into the patient.
So, we are not really sure how to handle this case. The adenocarcinoma actually belongs to the donor patient from another hospital, however, they actually didn’t identify it at that facility as their pathology was negative for a malignancy.
This very interesting case is not reportable to either facility. Since the right lower lobe nodule was resected prior to transplantation, the case does not belong to your patient. Ideally, the cancer should be assigned to the donor; however, donor information is confidential.
Terminology/Terms of involvement: When the terms "lytic" or "lysis" are used in an imaging study, are they to be interpreted as synonymous with metastasis, or can these terms be used to describe a non-malignant condition?
Although the term "lytic lesion" is often used to describe bone lesions and "tumor lysis" develops in response to systemic therapy, the words are not a part of the SEER list of terms used to describe involvement. Do not code distant metastasis based only on these words.
Multiple Primaries (Pre-2007)/Histology (Pre-2007)--Brain and CNS: How many primaries should be abstracted and should the histology field(s) be coded to 9530/1 [Meningiomatosis, NOS] or 9530/0 [Meningioma, NOS] to represent a case that presents with MRI confirmed multiple meningiomas (e.g., left dura, right parasagittal region, and left frontal lobe)?
For tumors diagnosed prior to 2007:
Abstract this case as two primaries, right and left cerebral meninges. Code the histology for both primaries to 9530/0 [Meningioma, NOS]. Use code 9530/1 [Meningiomatosis, NOS] only when the diagnosis is stated to be meningiomatosis, or multiple meningiomas.
For tumors diagnosed 2007 or later, refer to the MP/H rules. If there are still questions about how this type of tumor should be coded, submit a new question to SINQ and include the difficulties you are encountering in applying the MP/H rules.
Multiple primaries--Heme & Lymphoid Neoplasms: How many primaries are reported if a 2013 diagnosis of right leg skin nodules, consistent with plasmacytoma/plasma cell myeloma, follows a 3/20/07 biopsy diagnosis of multiple myeloma?
Abstract this case as a single primary. Code the histology to 9732/2 [multiple myeloma].
Review the Abstractor Notes section in the Heme DB for multiple myeloma. It states that in multiple myeloma there is generalized bone marrow involvement and that extramedullary involvement is diagnostic of advanced disease. This is a case of advanced multiple myeloma.
Final Dx for left Breast biopsy: Atypical epithelial proliferation (ADH/DCIS). Comment: Sections show small focus of atypical epithelial proliferation with features of atypical duct hyperplasia/low grade duct carcinoma in-situ.
ADH/DCIS is reportable. DCIS (duct carcinoma in situ) is a reportable neoplasm. When DCIS is stated as the final diagnosis, report the case.
Reportability/Histology: Would a histology reading "Well-differentiated neuroendocrine neoplasm" of the appendix be reportable? Since the word "tumor NOS" and "neoplasm NOS" both code to 8000, I would assume they would be interchangeable but just wanted to verify.
According to SINQ 20130027 & 20140002 a "Well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor" of the appendix IS reportable.
"Well-differentiated neuroendocrine neoplasm" of the appendix is reportable. According to the WHO classification of Digestive System Tumors, "Well-differentiated neuroendocrine neoplasm" of the appendix is synonymous with NET. WHO states on page 13 "The term 'neuroendocrine neoplasm' can be used synonymously with 'neuroendocrine tumor.'"
Neuroendocrine "tumor," or NET G1, is listed in the WHO classification as one of the malignant neoplasms of the appendix.
Reportability--Thyroid: Is a case with thyroid fine needle aspirate (FNA) cytology with nodule 1 Bethesda category 5 and nodule 2 Bethesda 6, reportable in 2021? Does the Bethesda category 5 or 6 have any bearing on reportability?
In the absence of information to the contrary, thyroid FNAs designated as Bethesda classification category VI are reportable. Thyroid FNAs designated as Bethesda classification category V are not reportable unless there is additional information confirming a reportable diagnosis. For both Bethesda V and VI, NCCN Guidelines recommend total thyroidectomy or lobectomy (depending on tumor size and nodal involvement) for the purposes of definitive diagnosis/treatment, so additional information should be available.
We will add this to the next version of the SEER manual.
In your example, nodule 1 Bethesda V is not reportable. Nodule 2 Bethesda VI is reportable.