Organization

Field Name

ID

Required

KCR

LN Assessment Method Para-aortic

34069

yes 

SEER

Lymph Nodes Assessment Method Para-aortic

3872

yes 

Note 1 Physician statement of para-aortic assessment of nodal status for 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/lumbar aortic
  • Para-aortic, NOS
  • Periaortic

Note 3 Assign the highest applicable code (0-2) in the case of multiple assessments.

Note 4 For this data item, do not include isolated tumor cells (ITCs).

Note 5 If there is no mention of para-aortic lymph node involvement in the workup, and the status data item LN Status Para-aortic does not indicate positive para-aortic nodes, code 0.

Note 6 The assessment results are recorded in LN Status Para-aortic(NAACCR Data Item #3958).

Code

Description

0

Radiography, imaging
(Ultrasound (US), computed tomography scan (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography scan (PET))
Physical exam only

1

Incisional biopsy; fine needle aspiration (FNA)

2

Lymphadenectomy
Sentinel node biopsy
Excisional biopsy or resection with microscopic confirmation

7

Para-aortic lymph node(s) assessed, unknown assessment method

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
Para-aortic lymph node(s) not assessed or unknown if assessed