Scenario:
- 2023 Palatine Tonsil (C09.9) biopsy: Keratinizing Squamous Cell Carcinoma, HPV+
Question: What is the Histology?
- 8071 Keratinizing Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- 8085 Squamous Cell Carcinoma HPV+
Answer: 8085
Discussion:
I have seen this multiple times, however there is no note in the Solid Tumor Rules Head & Neck Table 5:Tumors of the Oropharynx, Base of Tongue, Tonsils, Adenoids that addressed Keratinizing HPV+ SCC, so I contacted Ask A SEER Registrar.
From: Ask a SEER Registrar <askseerregistrar@imsweb.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 30, 2024 10:21 AM
Ignore the keratinizing and code 8085/3. The table is based on the 4th Ed WHO H&N book which indicated HPV + tumors were non-keratinizing. The HPV code has priority over the keratinizing code.
WHO just published the 5th Ed H&N book and now indicates many SCC subtypes with and HPV status are to be coded to the applicable HPV related code (8085 or 8086). The rules will be updated to reflect this change in the 2025 Solid Tumor Update–likely with new H rules as adding multiple notes and indents to the table will be difficult.
Thank you,
The SEER Data Quality Team