SEER Summary Stage is required to be directly coded by most state registries. See below for definitions and helpful tips when assigning the SEER Summary Stage.
In situ (code 0) = The presence of malignant cells within the cell group from which they arose. There is no penetration of the basement membrane of the tissue and no stromal invasion
Localized (code 1) = A malignancy limited to the organ of origin, having spread no further than the organ in which it started. There is infiltration past the basement membrane of the epithelium into functional part of the organ, but there is no spread beyond the boundaries of the organ.
Regional (code 2- 5) = Tumor extension beyond the limits of the organ of origin. Although the boundary between localized and regional tumor extension is usually well identified, the boundary between regional and distant spread is not always clear and can be defined differently by physicians in various specialties. The subcategories are:
2 = regional by direct extension only
3 = regional lymph nodes involved only
4 = regional by BOTH direct extension AND lymph node involvement
5 = regional NOS
Distant (code 7) = Tumor cells that have broken away from the primary tumor, have traveled to other parts of the body, and have begun to grow at the new location
Unknown (code 9) = Stage is unknown- unable to assign stage
SEER Summary Stage Tips for Specific Primary Sites:
Other & Ill-Defined Sites and Unknown Primary – C76.0-C76.5, C76.7-C76.8 and C80.9, SEER Summary Stage = 9 Codes 0,1,2,3,4,5,7 are not applicable
Brain & Cerebral Meninges with Behavior of 3 (malignant) – C70.0-C70.1, C70.9, C71.0-C71.9, C72.0-C72.5, C72.8-C72.9 SEER Summary Stage = 1, 5, 7, 9 Codes 0,2,3 and 4 are not applicable
Brain & Cerebral Meninges with Behavior of 0 or 1 (benign) – C70.0-C70.1, C70.9, C71.0-C71.9, C72.0-C72.5, C72.8-C72.9 SEER Summary Stage = 8
Hematopoietic/Lymphomas have SEER summary Stage guidelines. Refer to the SEER Summary staging manual for correct staging.
*The article is part of the Registry Partners Oncology QC Newsletter- Summer 2016 Edition. Follow the blog to read more articles from the Newsletter or contact us to receive a copy of the full newsletter to share with your team!