EOD Regional Nodes
Notes
Note 1: Code only regional nodes and nodes, NOS, in this field. Distant nodes are coded in EOD Mets.
Note 2: This schema has lymph node codes that are defined as CLINICAL assessment only or PATHOLOGICAL assessment only.
-
CLINICAL assessment only codes (000, 150, 350, 400) are used when there is a clinical work up only and there is no surgical resection of the primary tumor or site. This includes FNA, core biopsy, sentinel node biopsy, or lymph node excision
- Exception: If patient has neoadjuvant therapy, and the clinical assessment is greater than the pathological assessment, then the clinical assessment code would take priority
-
PATHOLOGICAL assessment only codes (030, 050, 070, 200, 250, 300) are used when
- Primary tumor or site surgically resected with
- Any microscopic examination of regional lymph nodes. Includes
- FNA, core biopsy, sentinel node biopsy or lymph node excision done during the clinical work up and/or
- Lymph node dissection performed
- Any microscopic examination of regional lymph nodes. Includes
- Primary tumor or site surgically resected with
-
Remaining codes (no designation of CLINICAL or PATHOLOGICAL only assessment) can be used based on clinical and/or pathological information
Note 3: If the pathology report indicates that nodes are positive but size of the metastases is not stated, assume the metastases are greater than 0.2 mm and code the lymph nodes as positive in this field.
Note 4: If regional nodes are removed and there is no mention of the level or another specific type, assume these are Level I-II and code appropriately.
Note 5: Isolated tumor cells (ITCs) are defined as single tumor cells or small clusters not greater than 0.2 mm, usually detected by immunohistochemical (IHC) or molecular methods. ITCs do not usually show evidence of malignant activity (e.g., proliferation or stromal reaction). Lymph nodes with ITCs only are not counted as positive nodes. RT-PCR is a molecular method designed to find evidence of unique tumor or epithelial cell markers.
- Codes 030, 050, and 070 are for nodes that are pathologically negative but are positive for ITCs or RT-PCR
- Code 030: Negative nodes pathologically with positive ITCs OR positive ITCs AND positive RT-PCR
- Code 050: Negative nodes pathologically with positive RT-PCR, negative ITCs
- Code 070: Negative nodes pathologically, unknown if ITCs or RT-PCR
Note 6: Internal mammary nodes (codes 250, 300, 400, 600) are not routinely removed unless there was an uptake during a sentinel lymph node biopsy, or they were clinically apparent on imaging. Before assigning one of these codes, make sure that the documentation clearly states that internal mammary nodes are involved.
- Do not confuse internal mammary nodes with intramammary nodes, which are routinely evaluated
Note 7: Codes 100-200 and 350 only apply to involved axillary level I and II lymph nodes. If internal mammary, infraclavicular (subclavicular, level III axillary, apical), or supraclavicular lymph nodes are involved, codes 100-200 and 350 may not be used.
Note 8: Regional lymph nodes include
- Axillary, NOS (ipsilateral)
- Level I (low-axilla) (low) (superficial), NOS [adjacent to tail of breast]
- Anterior (pectoral)
- Lateral (brachial)
- Posterior (subscapular)
- Level II (mid-axilla) (central), NOS
- Interpectoral (Rotter's)
- Level III (high) (deep), NOS
- Apical (subclavian)
- Axillary vein
- Fixed/matted axillary (level I and II) (ipsilateral)
- Infraclavicular (subclavicular) (ipsilateral)
- Internal mammary (parasternal) (ipsilateral)
- Intramammary (ipsilateral)
- Supraclavicular (transverse cervical) (ipsilateral)
Note 9: Code 800 if regional lymph nodes are involved, but there is no indication which ones are involved.
Code | Description | SS2018 N |
---|---|---|
000 | CLINICAL assessment only No clinical regional lymph node involvement |
NONE |
030 | PATHOLOGICAL assessment only ITCs only (malignant cell clusters no larger than 0.2 mm) in regional lymph node(s) |
NONE |
050 | PATHOLOGICAL assessment only Positive molecular findings by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), no ITCs detected |
NONE |
070 | PATHOLOGICAL assessment only No regional lymph node involvement pathologically |
NONE |
100 | Micrometastasis, less than or equal to 2 mm Micrometastasis, NOS |
RN |
150 | CLINICAL assessment only Clinically positive movable axillary (level I and II) lymph node(s), ipsilateral |
RN |
200 | PATHOLOGICAL assessment only Positive axillary (level I and II) lymph node(s), ipsilateral WITHOUT internal mammary lymph node(s) or not stated |
RN |
250 | PATHOLOGICAL assessment only Internal mammary node(s), ipsilateral, positive on sentinel node biopsy but not clinically apparent |
RN |
300 | PATHOLOGICAL assessment only Internal mammary node(s), ipsilateral, positive on sentinel node biopsy but not clinically apparent |
RN |
350 | CLINICAL assessment only Fixed/matted axillary (level I and II) (ipsilateral) |
RN |
400 | CLINICAL assessment only Internal mammary node(s), ipsilateral |
RN |
500 | Infraclavicular lymph node(s) (subclavicular) (level III axillary node(s)) (apical), ipsilateral |
RN |
600 | Internal mammary node(s), ipsilateral, clinically apparent |
RN |
700 | Supraclavicular node(s), ipsilateral |
D |
800 | Regional lymph node(s), NOS |
RN |
999 | Unknown; regional lymph node(s) not stated Death Certificate Only |
U |
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(2) Young JL Jr, Roffers SD, Ries LAG, Fritz AG, Hurlbut AA (eds.). SEER Summary Staging Manual-2000: Codes and Coding Instructions, National Cancer Institute, NIH Pub. No. 01-4969, Bethesda, MD, 2001.
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