Person with cancer—morphology of cancer, code (ICD-O-3) NNNN/N

Guide for use:

Tumour morphology refers to the type of cell (histology) that has become neoplastic and its biologic activity (behaviour).

Record the tumour morphology for patients who have been diagnosed with cancer.

Record the tumour morphology relating to the initial diagnosis and not for recurrent disease.

Record morphology codes in accordance with ICD-O-3 coding standards. Use the 5th-digit to record behaviour. Refer to the coding guidelines for morphology in ICD-O-3, pp 27-34.

If the morphology differs on multiple pathology reports for the same tumour, use the value from the most representative tumour specimen examined. For example, if the tumour is described as ductal on core biopsy but undifferentiated carcinoma on the excision specimen, the morphology would be coded as undifferentiated carcinoma (a lower code) which has a less favourable diagnosis.

Origin:

World Health Organization

New South Wales Health Department

Comments:
The information is collected so that tumours can be classified into clinically relevant groups based on their primary site and morphology. This provides a basis for staging and the determination of treatment options. The morphology of the cancer also affects the course of the disease and prognosis.