Number of Positive Para-Aortic Nodes
Notes
**Note 1:** Physician statement of positive 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/lateral lumbar * Para-aortic, NOS * Periaortic **Note 3:** Record the number of positive para-aortic lymph nodes documented in the medical record. **Note 4:** For this data item, do not include isolated tumor cells (ITCs). **Note 5:** Micrometastasis and macrometastasis may be listed separately on the pathology report. Add these two together to get the total number of positive nodes. **Note 6:** Code X9 if no lymph node dissection is performed. * If only a FNA or core biopsy is done and it is positive, then code X6 * If only a FNA or core biopsy is done and it is negative, then code X9 * Code X9 when no lymph nodes are removed **Note 7:** The number of examined para-aortic nodes is recorded in 3899: Number of Examined Para-aortic Nodes.| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 00 | All para-aortic lymph nodes examined negative |
| 01-99 | 1-99 para-aortic lymph nodes positive (Exact number of nodes positive) |
| X1 | 100 or more para-aortic nodes positive |
| X2 | Positive para-aortic nodes identified, number unknown |
| X6 | Positive aspiration or core biopsy of para-aortic lymph node(s) |
| X8 | Not applicable: Information not collected for this case (If this item is required by your standard setter, use of code X8 will result in an edit error.) |
| X9 | Not documented in medical record Cannot be determined, indeterminate if positive para-aortic nodes present No lymph node dissection performed Para-aortic lymph nodes not assessed or unknown if assessed |