High Risk Histologic Features
Description
High Risk Histologic Features are defined in AJCC 8 Chapter 15 to include the terms “poor differentiation, desmoplasia, sarcomatoid differentiation, undifferentiated.” High risk histologic features are a prognostic factor for cutaneous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. In addition to the tumor size (diameter, not depth), the presence of certain specific high-risk features is of prognostic significance for skin cancers of the head and neck.Notes
**Note 1:** **Physician Statement** * Physician statement of high-risk histologic features can be used to code this data item when no other information is available. **Note 2:** **High risk histologic features include** * Desmoplasia * Poor differentiation (grade 3) * Sarcomatoid differentiation (features) * Undifferentiated (grade 4)| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 0 | No high risk histologic features Non-invasive neoplasm (behavior /2) |
| 1 | Desmoplasia |
| 2 | Poor differentiation (grade 3) |
| 3 | Sarcomatoid differentiation |
| 4 | Undifferentiated (grade 4) |
| 5 | Multiple high risk histologic features |
| 6 | Histologic features, NOS (type of high risk histologic feature not specified) |
| 8 | Not applicable: Information not collected for this case (If this information is required by your standard setter, use of code 8 may result in an edit error) |
| 9 | Not documented in medical record High risk histologic features not assessed or unknown if assessed |