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Definition

The histological classification of the cancer tissue (histopathological type) in a person with cancer, and a description of the course of development that a tumour is likely to take: benign or malignant (behaviour), as represented by a code.

Components

Data Element (this item)

Representation

This representation is based on the value domain for this data element, more information is available at " Morphology of cancer code (ICD-O-3) NNNN/N ".
Data Type Number
Format NNNN/N
Maximum character length 5

Comments

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

State and Territory Cancer Registries

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.

References

New South Wales Inpatient Statistics Collection Manual. 2000/2001

Esteban D, Whelan S, Laudico A, Parkin DM (Editors) 1995. World Health Organization and International Association of Cancer Registries: Manual for cancer registry personnel, IARC Technical Report No 10. Lyon: International Agency for Research on Cancer

Fritz A et al. 2000. International Classification of Diseases for Oncology (ICD-O), 3rd edition. Geneva: World Health Organization
This content Based on Australian Institute of Health and Welfare material. Attribution provided as required under the AIHW CC-BY licence.

Related content

Relation Count
Input in Derivations 0
Output in Derivations 0
Inclusion in Data Set Specifications 3
Inclusion in Data Distributions 0
As a numerator in an Indicator 2
As a denominator in an Indicator 2
As a disaggregation in an Indicator 2