SITE SPECIFIC DATA ITEMS (SSDI)/ GRADE

Description

Esophagus and Esophagogastric Junction (EGJ), Squamous Cell (including adenosquamous), Tumor Location refers to the position of the epicenter of the tumor in the esophagus. **Required for Staging:** The AJCC Esophagus Staging System and EOD, for **Squamous Cell Carcinomas only**.

Notes

**Note 1:** **Pathological Staging** * This data item is used for pathological staging for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus and esophagogastric junction. If information is available for clinical staging, record it. **Note 2:** **Defining the epicenter** * Location is defined by the position of the **epicenter** of the tumor in the esophagus. * ***Example***: If the lesion was from 15-21 cm, this is a 6-cm lesion with epicenter at 18 cm. It is the midpoint **Note 3:** **Priority statements of epicenter** * Clinician or pathologist statement of epicenter being the upper, middle, or lower takes priority over any individual results or measurements * If no statement of epicenter is provided indicating upper, middle, or lower is provided, the following measurements may be used. * 15-24 cm from incisors = upper * 25-29 cm from incisors = middle * 30-40/45 cm from incisors = lower **Note 4:** **Epicenter and Primary Site** * The ascertainment of the epicenter of the tumor is for staging purposes and is separate from the assignment of the ICD-O-3 topography code * If you have an overlapping tumor (C158), do not recode the topography based on the epicenter. **Note 5:** **Primary Site C159** * If primary site is C159 (Esophagus, NOS), code 9.