Data Last Updated: June 9, 2025

NAACCR Item #3913: Pleural Effusion

Item # Length Source of Standard Section Name Year Implemented Version Implemented XML NAACCR ID Parent XML Element
3913 1 NAACCR Stage/Prognostic Factors None None pleuralEffusion Tumor
Required Status:

NPCR Collect: No recommendation
CoC Collect: Required, site specific
SEER Collect: Required, site specific
CCCR Collect: No recommendation

Description
Pleural effusion is the accumulation of fluid between the parietal pleura (the pleura covering the chest wall and diaphragm) and the visceral pleura (the pleura covering the lungs).
Rationale
Pleural Effusion is collected by the surveillance community for pleura cancers. Prior to 2018, Pleura SSF #1 was used for Pleural Effusion.
Allowable Values
0-4, 8, 9
Codes
Code Description
0 Pleural effusion not identified/not present
1 Pleural effusion present, non-malignant (negative)
2 Pleural effusion present, malignant (positive) Physician states pleural effusion is malignant in the absence of positive cytology
3 Pleural effusion, atypical/atypical mesothelial cells
4 Pleural effusion, NOS
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 Pleural Effusion not assessed or unknown if assessed
Code Notes
Each Site-Specific Data Item (SSDI) applies only to selected primary sites, histologies, and years of diagnosis. Depending on applicability and standard-setter requirements, SSDIs may be left blank.