| Obviously there will have to be some re-training of coders
before ICD-O-3 is implemented, because some current coding rules
will be altered.
There is a graying distinction between benign and malignant
words. Pathologists think of "grade" as a synonym
for "type" and as a result, terminology that registrars might
think of using to code the 6th digit may change.
Renal cell is coming to be an "umbrella" term like
duct cell. This will affect our 'code to the highest code'
rule.
The terms "adult" and "mature" describe
the cell, not the age of the patient.
"Transitional" has two meanings--it could be a
cell type, or it could be a neoplasm that is converting to
something else.
ICD-O-3 has adopted the European standard of writing eponyms--no
apostrophe 's'. Therefore, it will be "Klatskin tumor"
(instead of Klatskin's tumor) and "non-Hodgkin lymphoma"
(instead of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma). As previously mentioned,
there will be a lot more acronyms: ECL (enterochromaffin-like),
MPNST, CPNET, DCIS, PIN, VIN, etc.
We also have to reinforce the matrix concept--the present
rule that says it is OK to change the behavior code of a published
diagnosis so that it truly reflects what the pathologist describes
as the behavior.
Some terms are no longer obviously benign or malignant.
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