Data Last Updated: Sept. 13, 2023

Lymph Nodes Assessment Method Para-aortic

Notes

**Note 1:** Physician statement of para-aortic assessment of nodal status for para-aortic nodes can be used to code this data item when no other information is available. **Note 2:** The following are para-aortic nodes * Aortic * Lateral aortic/lumbar aortic * Para-aortic, NOS * Periaortic **Note 3:** Assign the highest applicable code (0-2) in the case of multiple assessments. **Note 4:** For this data item, do not include isolated tumor cells (ITCs). **Note 5:** Code 0 when there is only imaging or a physical exam. **Note 6:** The assessment results are recorded in 3958: LN Status: Para-aortic.
Code Description
0 Radiography, imaging
(Ultrasound (US), computed tomography scan (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography scan (PET))

Physical exam only
1 Incisional biopsy; fine needle aspiration (FNA)
2 Lymphadenectomy
Sentinel node biopsy
Excisional biopsy or resection with microscopic confirmation
7 Para-aortic lymph node(s) assessed, unknown assessment method
8 Not applicable: Information not collected for this case
(If this item is required by your standard setter, use of code 8 will result in an edit error.)
9 Not documented in medical record
Para-aortic lymph node(s) not assessed or unknown if assessed