Disability Doc

13.18 Large intestine (from ileocecal valve to and including anal canal).

A. Adenocarcinoma that is inoperable, unresectable, or recurrent.

Inoperable - surgery is of no therapeutic value or cannot be performed due to risk to the patient.

OR

Unresectable - operation was performed but all of the tumor could not be removed.

OR

Recurrent – recurrence of the tumor in any part of the body after completion of initial antineoplastic therapy.

OR

B. Squamous cell carcinoma of the anus, recurrent after surgery.

In many cases, anal squamous cell carcinoma that recurs after treatment with radiation and chemotherapy can be successfully removed by surgery. Listing 13.18 B. is met if the surgery is unsuccessful. If squamous cell carcinoma of the anus is deemed inoperable or unresectable, Listing 13.18 B. is equaled.

OR

C. With metastases beyond the regional lymph nodes.

Notice how this listing differs from stomach (gastric) cancer but is similar to small intestine cancer in that metastases must be beyond regional lymph nodes. This will be described in the pathology report (microscopic exam of tissue) or in medical imaging studies, such as MRI or CT scan. Listing 13.18 C. applies to either adenocarcinoma of the large intestine (colon) or squamous cell carcinoma of the anus.