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Tumor Size (largest)

Tumor Size (largest)

Owned by David Rust
Last updated: Apr 08, 2025

Organization

Field Name

ID

Required

KCR

Tumor Size (largest) (TumorSize1)

30490

yes

NAACCR

EOD--Tumor Size

780

yes


Field Length: 3

DO NOT CODE THIS FIELD FOR CANCERS DIAGNOSED ON OR AFTER 1-1-2004. INSTEAD, RECORD TUMOR SIZE IN ITEM 30540 ACCORDING TO INSTRUCTIONS IN THE COLLABORATIVE STAGING MANUAL.

If the diagnosis date is before 1-1-2004, record the size of the tumor here in millimeters as stated in the pathology report. If more than one dimension is recorded, code the greatest one. For example, 6.1 x 9.4 cm should be recorded as 094. To convert centimeters to millimeters, multiply centimeters by 10. If the tumor size is stated in millimeters, such as "breast tumor is 13 mm," code as 013.

Use the instructions in the SEER Extent of Disease 1998 Codes and Coding Instructions manual, pages 3-5 and the tables that follow, to code this field.

If the pathology report does not specify tumor size, a reasonable estimate should be entered from the surgical notes, from scans or radiologic reports, or other clinical findings in that order. If unknown, code '999'. 

Use the charts and tables on the following pages for additional guidelines in coding this field.

EXCEPTIONS:     For melanomas of the skin, vulva, penis, scrotum, and conjunctiva, use this field to record the DEPTH OF INVASION (thickness of tumor) - and not largest tumor dimension - in HUNDREDTHS OF MILLIMETERS. For example, a melanoma with 1.55 mm depth of invasion should be coded 155. A melanoma of 9.9 mm or greater should be coded 990.

For melanomas of the uvea and other parts of the eye (C69.1-C69.4, C69.8-C69.9), as well as any other anatomic sites, record the tumor size at largest dimension and not depth of invasion.

                       For mycosis fungoides and Sezary’s disease, use this field to record PERIPHERAL BLOOD INVOLVEMENT instead of tumor size.

For Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas and Kaposi’s sarcoma, use this field to record HIV STATUS instead of tumor size.

You may round off if the size is more precise than the coding spaces available.

For example:    -ovarian tumor is 16.75 cm - code 168

-skin melanoma is 4.668 mm thick - code 467

Find the type of cancer you are abstracting in the left column. Then follow across the row to see the instructions for coding the field 'Tumor Size' for that type of cancer.

TYPE OF CANCER

ABSTRACTING GUIDELINES

1.  Melanoma (8720- 8790)

             of skin      (C44.0-C44.9)

             of vulva    (C51.0-C51.9)

             of penis     (C60.0-C60.9)

             of scrotum (C63.2)

             of conjunctiva (C69.0)

Code thickness (depth of invasion of tumor)

Code in hundredths of millimeters

Examples: thickness of  .75mm = 075 = T1 if skin

                  thickness of  2.5mm = 250 = T3 if skin

                  thickness of  4.4mm  = 440 = T4 if skin

                  thickness of 9.9mm or greater = 990      

2.  Hodgkins Lymphoma (9650-9667)

     Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma (9590-9595, 9670-9717)

     Kaposi’s Sarcoma (9140)               

Code HIV/AIDS status

001 = Yes, present

002 = No

999 = Unknown

3.  Mycosis Fungoides (9700)

     Sezary’s Disease    (9701)

                 of skin      (C44.0-C44.9)

                 of vulva    (C51.0-C51.9)               

                 of penis     (C60.0-C60.9)

                 of scrotum (C63.2)

Code peripheral blood involvement

     000   No peripheral blood involvement

     001   <5% atypical circulating cells

     002   >5% atypical circulating cells

     003     %   not stated

     999     Not applicable

4.  Malignant histocytosis (9720)

     Letterer-Siwe’s disease (9722)

     True histiocytic lymphoma (9723)

     Plasma cell tumors (9731-9732)

     Leukemia (9800-9941)

     Immunoproliferative disease (9760-9768)

     Myeloproliferative disease    (9950-9989)

     Ill defined primary site (C76.0-C76.9)

     C42._ and any malignancy not listed above

     Unknown primary site (C80.9)  

Code 999 = Not applicable

5.  All tumors other than those listed above on lines 1-4,         including melanomas of sites other than skin,                  vulva, penis, scrotum, and conjunctiva.

Code size of primary tumor at largest dimension.  Code in millimeters. 

There are special meanings for certain codes

    001 = microscopic focus or foci

    002 = 2mm or less for all sites except breast & lung

    002 = (for breast) mammography dx only; no size                               given

    002 = (for lung) malig. cells in secretions

    003 = (for breast & lung) 3 mm or less

    999 = tumor size not given

Examples: tumor is 5mm x 2mm = 005

                  tumor is 5cm x 2cm   = 050

                 tumor is 10.6cm     = 106


WEIGHTS AND MEASURES*

                                   SIZES IN CENTIMETERS, MILLIMETERS, INCHES

10 mm = 1 cm                                                 1 cm = 10 mm

2.5 cm = 1 inch                                              1 inch = 025 mm

                           DESCRIPTIONS OF TUMOR SIZES INTERPRETED IN MM'S

Fruits                                                       Miscellaneous Food

Apple                        070                        Doughnut                         090

Apricot                      040                        Egg                                 050

Cherry                       020                        Egg, goose                      070

Date                          040                        Egg, hen                          050

Fig, dried                   040                        Egg, bantam                    040

Grape                        020                        Egg, pigeon                     030

Grapefruit                  010                        Egg, robin                        020

Kumquat                   050                        Lentil                               009

Lemon                       080                        Millet                               009

Lime                          060

Olive                         020

Orange                      090                        Money

Peach                        060

Pear                          090                        Dime                               010

Plum                          030                        Dollar, silver                    040

Tangerine                  060                        Dollar, half                       030

                                                               Nickel                             020

Nuts                                                        Quarter                           020

                                                               Penny                              010

Almond                     030

Chestnut                    040

Chestnut, horse          040                        Other

Hazel                         020

Hickory                     030                        Ball, golf                          040

Peanut                       010                        Ball, ping pong                 030

Pecan                        030                        Baseball                          070

Walnut                      030                        Eraser or Pencil               010

Bean                         010                        Fist                                  090

Bean, Lima                020                        Marble                            010

Pea                           009                        Match Head                    009

Pea, split                   009                        Microscopic focus           001

* From Seer Informational Guidebook Training Aids

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