The August Oncology Coding Break is Part 2 of a 4 Part Series on the Female Reproductive System. This month, we will focus on Fallopian Tube and Uterus.
Abstracting GYN primaries can be difficult, especially if there is confusion around anatomy. Melissa Meador, Ph.D., ODS-C lends her expertise to explain the uterus, including the fundus, endometrium, myometrium, and serosa. Have you ever wondered exactly what the adnexa is that you see in imaging reports and staging categories? Wonder no more! Melissa will clearly define the adnexa, explaining what the appendages of the uterus are and where they attach. She will also give a brief review of the fallopian tubes and discuss antegrade vs retrograde flow from the uterus. Finally, Melissa will discuss the lymph nodes regional to the uterus with special focus on the lymphatic flow and drainage of the iliac lymph nodes.
After exploring the uterine and fallopian tube anatomy, Heather Donohue, ODC-C, takes us through the AJCC staging criteria, with an important note on Endometrial Intraepithelial Carcinoma (EIC) and a unique circumstance with capturing the T value. Heather also brings to our attention another important staging exception for uterine primaries, which allows us to use clinical information to complete AJCC pathological staging when pathological information is insufficient. Next, Heather walks us through SEER Summary staging and reiterates the standard setter disagreement when it comes to EIC.
We hope to see you back in September for Part 3 of this series: Female Reproductive System: Cervix and Vagina Anatomy and Staging Guidance.