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Data Standards and Data Dictionary

* indicates required field

Length: 2
Source of Standard: SEER/CoC
Section Name: Stage/Prognostic Factors
Record Types: A, M, C, I

XML NAACCR ID: regionalNodesPositive

Parent XML Element: Tumor

Alternate Names:

  • Pathologic Review of Regional Lymph Nodes (SEER)
  • Regional Lymph Nodes Positive
  • Number of Positive Regional Lymph Nodes (SEER)

Required Status:

NPCR Collect: R - Required
CoC Collect: R - Required
SEER Collect: R - Required
CCCR Collect: R* - Required, when available

Description:

Records the exact number of regional nodes examined by the pathologist and found to contain metastases. Beginning with tumors diagnosed on or after January 1, 2004, this item is a component of the Collaborative Stage system. For tumors diagnosed from 1988 through 2003, this item was part of the 10-digit EOD [779], detailed site-specific codes for anatomic EOD.

Rationale:

This data item is necessary for pathologic staging, and it serves as a quality measure for pathology reports and the extent of the surgical evaluation and treatment of the patient.

Format:

Right justified, zero filled

Item Data Type:

digits

Allowable Values

00-90, 95, 97-99

Codes:

00

All nodes examined are negative

01-89

1-89 nodes are positive (code exact number of nodes positive)

90

90 or more nodes are positive

95

Positive aspiration of lymph node(s) was performed

97

Positive nodes are documented, but the number is unspecified

98

No nodes were examined

99

It is unknown whether nodes are positive; not applicable; not stated in patient record

Code Notes:

Note: See Chapter V, Unresolved Issues, for a discussion of coding differences between CoC and SEER.