Missouri Cancer Registry

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Low Volume Hospitals

  1. Where do I obtain a copy of the ICD-9 neoplasm reportable list? You can print a copy of the list by going to the MCR website, . It may also be found in the MCR Abstract Code Manual.
  1. Are basal and squamous cell cancers of the skin reportable? No. This includes ICD-9-CM codes 173.3 – 173.9 (other malignant neoplasms of the skin).
  1. Do I have to send a transmittal form to MCR even if I do not have any cases to report? Yes. Please send a transmittal form every quarter noting the reason no cases are being transmitted for this reporting period, e.g., no cases to report.
  1. How can I get a copy of the MCR Abstract Code Manual? The manual may be downloaded and printed from MCR’s website: .
  1. If the CT scan says the patient has “probable” cancer, am I supposed to report that patient? “Probable” is an ambiguous term that can cause confusion. See the complete list of ambiguous terms and how to use them in the table below.

How to Interpret Ambiguous Terms
If one of the following terms is used by the physician (in combination with “malignancy” or “cancer”) , the case is reportable: / “Apparently, Appears to, comparable with, compatible with, consistent with, favors, malignant appearing, most likely, presumed, probable, typical of and suspicious”
If one of these terms is used, the case is NOT reportable: / “ Cannot be ruled out, equivocal, possibly, potentially malignant, questionable, rule out, suggests and worrisome”
  1. Where do I send charts? Please send charts to:

Missouri Cancer Registry
PO Box 718
Columbia, MO65205

  1. Does MCR require us to report cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)? MCR only wants invasive cancers for this site. See the list of codes in the table below.

Cervix ICD-9 codes
Reportable (Invasive) / Not Reportable
180.0 – 180.9 / 233.1 (CIN III or carcinoma in situ)
622.11 (CIN I)
622.12 (CIN II)
  1. Why are we sending information on benign brain tumors? Public Law 107-260, the Benign Brain Tumor Cancer Registries Amendment Act, requires programs participating in the National Program for Cancer Registries (NPCR) to collect data on benign and borderline tumors of the central nervous system in addition to the previously required data on malignant tumors. According to the SEER training program, “the reason for reporting benign and borderline brain and CNS tumors are:
  • Benign and borderline CNS tumors cause disruption in normal function similar to that caused by malignant CNS tumors.
  • Location of a CNS tumor is as important as tumor behavior (benign or malignant) for morbidity and mortality. “

Benign codes now considered reportable / 225.0 – 225.4 (for Benign Meninges and Brain)
225.8 – 225.9 (for Spinal Cord, Cranial Nerves and other)
227.3 – 227.4 (for other endocrine glands, etc.)
  1. Are we required to report prostate intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN)? MCR only wants invasive cancers for this site. See the list of codes in the table below.

Prostate ICD-9 codes
Reportable (Invasive) / Not Reportable
185 / 233.4 (PIN III or carcinoma in situ)
602.3 (PIN I and PIN II)

April 2007