Per FORDS (2016) page 138 “Do Not code surgical procedures which aspirate, biopsy or remove regional lymph nodes in an effort to diagnose and/or stage disease in this data item.  Use the data item Scope of Regional Lymph Node Surgery (NAACCR Item #1292) to code these procedures. In our cancer registry software this entails coding the Scope of Regional Lymph Node Surgery field as a surgical…

Question:     Are blood thinners, e.g., warfarin, coded as treatment in the Other Therapy data item for polycythemia vera and myelodysplastic syndrome?   Answer: Based on information from the National Cancer Institute and the Food and Drug Administration, aspirin and/or other blood thinners are not valid treatment for polycythemia vera and myelodysplastic syndrome. These drugs are often given to relieve symptoms of the disease such…

Chapter 8 – Thyroid Clinical Staging: The assessment of a thyroid tumor depends on inspection and palpation of the thyroid gland and regional lymph nodes.  Indirect laryngoscopy to evaluate vocal cord motion is essential. A variety of imaging procedures can provide additional useful information. These include radioisotope thyroid scans, ultrasonography, CT, MRI and PET scans. When cross-sectional imaging is utilized, MRI is recommended so as to…

Assigning the primary site for tumors can sometimes be difficult.  Make every attempt to determine the primary site based on the pathology, physician notes, and radiology.  The SEER program manual gives tips for assigning an unknown or ill defined primary site. When the medical record does not contain enough information to assign a primary site Consult physician advisor Use the NOS category for organ system or…