[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 192 (Tuesday, October 6, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51229-51234]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-23896]


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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

20 CFR Part 404

[Docket No. SSA-2007-0066]
RIN 0960-AG57


Revised Medical Criteria for Evaluating Malignant Neoplastic 
Diseases

AGENCY: Social Security Administration.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are revising some of the criteria in the Listing of 
Impairments (the listings) that we use to evaluate claims involving 
malignant neoplastic diseases (cancer) \1\ under titles II and XVI of 
the Social Security Act (Act). The revisions reflect our adjudicative 
experience, advances in medical knowledge, diagnosis, and treatment, 
and public comments we received in response to a Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking (NPRM).
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    \1\ ``Malignant neoplastic disease'' is commonly known as 
``cancer.'' We use both terms interchangeably in this document 
because we continue to use the technical medical term in the 
listings.

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DATES: This rule is effective November 5, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Kuhn, Office of Medical Listings 
Improvement, Social Security Administration, 6401 Security Boulevard, 
Baltimore, Maryland 21235-6401, (410) 965-1020. For information on 
eligibility or filing for benefits, call our national toll-free number, 
1-800-772-1213, or TTY 1-800-325-0778, or visit our Internet Web site, 
Social Security Online, at http://www.socialsecurity.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Version

    The electronic file of this document is available on the date of 
publication in the Federal Register at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html.

Background

    We are revising and making final the rules for evaluating malignant 
neoplastic diseases we proposed in an NPRM published in the Federal 
Register on April 24, 2008 (73 FR 22871). The preamble to the NPRM 
discussed the changes from the current rules and our reasons for making 
those changes. Since we are largely adopting the proposed rules as 
published, we are not repeating that information here. Interested 
readers may refer to the preamble to the NPRM, available at http://www.regulations.gov.
    We are making a few changes from the NPRM as a result of public 
comments. We explain those changes in our summary of the public 
comments and our responses later in this preamble.

Why are we revising the listings for malignant neoplastic diseases?

    We developed these final rules as part of our ongoing review of the 
cancer body system. When we last revised this body system in final 
rules published on November 15, 2004,\2\ we indicated that we would 
monitor and update the listings in this body system as needed.
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    \2\ See 69 FR 67018, corrected at 70 FR 15227.
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When will we use these final rules?

    We will use these final rules beginning on their effective date. We 
will continue to use the current listings until the date these final 
rules become effective. We will apply the final rules to new 
applications filed on or after the effective date of the final rules 
and to claims that are pending on and after the effective date.\3\
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    \3\ This means that we will use these final rules on and after 
their effective date in any case in which we make a determination or 
decision. We expect that Federal courts will review our final 
decisions using the rules that were in effect at the time we issued 
the decisions. If a court reverses the Commissioner's final decision 
and remands a case for further administrative proceedings after the 
effective date of these final rules, we will apply these final rules 
to the entire period at issue in the decision we make after the 
court's remand.

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[[Page 51230]]

How long will the rules in the malignant neoplastic diseases body 
system be in effect?

    We are extending the effective date of the malignant neoplastic 
diseases body system in parts A and B of the listings until 8 years 
after the effective date of these final rules. The rules will remain in 
effect only until that date unless we extend them. We will continue to 
monitor the rules and may revise them before the end of the 8-year 
period.

Public Comments on the NPRM

    In the NPRM, we provided the public with a 60-day comment period, 
which ended on June 27, 2008. We received five public comment letters. 
The comments came from a national cancer advocacy group, a national 
group representing disability examiners in the State agencies that make 
disability determinations for us, a national group representing 
directors of those State agencies, and two individual State agencies.
    We provide our responses below to the significant comments that 
were relevant to this rulemaking. A few of the comments were on 
subjects that were not related to the proposed rules. For example, 
commenters suggested changes to the introductory text of this body 
system and some suggested that we add new listings in sections for 
which we had not proposed rules. Other commenters made suggestions that 
involved the steps of our sequential evaluation process coming after 
the listing step. Although we read and considered these comments, we do 
not summarize or respond to them below because they are outside the 
scope of this rulemaking proceeding.
    We have summarized the relevant comments below, but have tried to 
present the commenters' concerns and suggestions accurately and 
completely.

Sections 13.00I and 113.00I--What do we mean by the following terms?

    We adopted a comment that suggested we include the term 
``multimodal'' or the phrase ``multimodal therapy'' in the list of 
defined terms in sections 13.00I and 113.00I. The commenter also 
requested that we provide additional clarification of multimodal 
therapy. We adopted this comment by moving the definition of 
``multimodal therapy'' from current sections 13.00E2 and 113.00E2 to 
final sections 13.00I3 and 113.00I2. We also revised the definitions in 
these sections to make them clearer.
    Since we added a new definition in final sections 13.00I and 
113.00I, we renumbered the definitions that follow. We also changed the 
headings of these sections. In the NPRM, we used the heading ``What do 
these terms in the listings mean?'' for sections 13.00I and 113.00I, 
and we included only terms that were actually included in the listings. 
We use the term ``multimodal'' in current listings 13.02 and 13.11, and 
final listing 13.14; however, we do not use it in any of the listings 
in part B. Since we do not use the terms ``multimodal'' or ``multimodal 
therapy'' in any of the listings in part B, we changed the headings in 
both parts.
    We did not adopt a suggestion that we include in final section 
13.00I a definition of the term ``first treatment,'' which is a term we 
use only when we refer to an autologous bone marrow transplant in 
current listing 13.28B. The commenter thought that we defined this term 
only in an internal instruction. In fact, we already define ``first 
treatment'' in current section 13.00L3b, where we explain how to use 
listing 13.28. Moreover, listing 13.28 refers to section 13.00L3b. We 
think it will be easier for our adjudicators to find the definition if 
we leave it where it is.
    We also did not adopt a comment that recommended that we add a 
definition for ``satellite lesions.'' We use this term only in one 
section of the listing for melanoma (a kind of skin cancer), and we 
define it there. See final listing 13.03B2c.

Listing 13.02--Soft Tissue Tumors of the Head and Neck

    We did not adopt a comment recommending that we provide general 
guidance for evaluating bilateral neuroblastomas under current listing 
13.02A. We consider bilateral neuroblastomas to be tumors of the 
central nervous system, which we evaluate under listing 13.13.
    The same commenter suggested that we emphasize in the introductory 
text of the malignant neoplastic diseases body system how to evaluate 
soft tumors of the head and neck under current listing 13.02A. We did 
not adopt this comment because the listing requires such tumors to be 
either ``inoperable'' or ``unresectable'' and we already define those 
terms in final section 13.00I.
    We did, however, adopt a third comment from this commenter 
recommending that we explain how we evaluate a recurrence that occurs 
more than 3 years after remission in connection with listing 13.02 and 
another listing. In response to this comment, we revised the second 
sentence of current sections 13.00H2 and 113.00H2, which referred only 
to the ``original'' tumor and any metastases, to also include 
recurrences and relapses. We also added a sentence at the end of final 
sections 13.00H3 and 113.00H3 to indicate that, if there is a 
recurrence or relapse after 3 years or another period specified in a 
listing in this body system, the impairment may again meet or medically 
equal the requirements of a cancer listing. These changes are only a 
clarification of our current rules, and ensure that we will not 
incorrectly find that people with recurrent tumors are no longer 
disabled.

Listing 13.03--Skin

    One commenter suggested that we include criteria in listing 13.03 
for melanomas with ulcerative features. The commenter believed that the 
description of these melanomas in the current American Joint Committee 
on Cancer (AJCC) staging manual indicates listing-level severity. We 
disagree with the commenter and have not adopted the comment. While the 
AJCC staging manual does indicate that melanomas with ulceration have a 
worse prognosis than non-ulcerated melanomas, it also indicates that 
many ulcerated melanomas have good prognoses. Therefore, we do not 
believe that the AJCC staging manual describes an impairment of 
listing-level severity, and it would be inappropriate for us to find 
that all people with this condition have a listing-level impairment.
    The same commenter recommended that we add criteria for melanoma 
with in-transit spread; that is, metastasis along the lymph channels. 
We did not adopt the comment because the final listings already address 
the disabling effects of in-transit spread. We will evaluate in-transit 
spread that affects the lymph nodes under final listing 13.03B2a or 
13.03B2b. We will evaluate in-transit spread that results in metastases 
to adjacent skin or distant sites under final listing 13.03B2c.

Listing 13.09--Thyroid Gland

    In response to a comment, we added final listing 113.09C, for 
medullary carcinoma of the thyroid gland with metastases beyond the 
regional lymph nodes. Final listing 113.09C is identical to final 
listing 13.09C. The commenter referred to our statement in proposed 
113.00K4 that we did not include a specific listing for children 
because the condition is rare in children, but did not believe the 
listings are meant to exclude cancers simply because they are rare. 
Since our listings do include some rare disorders, we agreed to add 
this listing in response to the comment. We currently find all such 
children with the cancer described in final listing 113.09C disabled 
based on medical equivalence to listing 113.09B.

[[Page 51231]]

    In the NPRM, we explained in proposed section 113.00K4 that we 
would use listing 13.09C for children with this type of cancer. Because 
we are adding listing 113.09C, we did not include that paragraph in 
these final rules.

Listing 13.10--Breast

    One commenter recommended that we include a listing for people with 
locally advanced breast cancer who receive multimodal therapy. The 
commenter recommended that we consider these people disabled for either 
12 or 18 months from the date of diagnosis. The commenter noted that we 
have other listings that recognize the difficulties faced by patients 
during initial treatment of their cancers, even though they have good 
prognoses, and believed that we could have a similar listing for some 
people with breast cancer. The commenter indicated that there are 
treatment regimens that last for at least 7 to 12 months that may have 
many side effects and that, as treatment progresses, the side effects 
worsen.
    We did not adopt this comment. While we agree with the commenter 
that there may be some people who are disabled from multimodal therapy 
for breast cancer and its adverse effects, we do not believe that we 
can uniformly describe those people medically, as required for a 
listing. Many people who undergo such therapy are not unable to work 
for 12 continuous months.
    Another commenter recommended that we add a criterion for 
metastatic breast cancer to an axillary lymph node(s) with perforation 
of the capsule (that is, tumor extension beyond the capsule),\4\ with 
or without nodal matting (fusion). We did not adopt this comment 
because, while perforation of the capsule, with or without matting, 
increases the risk of tumor recurrence, this finding alone does not 
usually represent the level of severity intended by the listings. We 
cannot have a listing based only on a risk of recurrence because people 
cannot qualify for disability benefits before they actually become 
unable to work (or for children under title XVI, meet the definition of 
disability for children). When there is recurrence, we will evaluate it 
under listing 13.10C.
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    \4\ The capsule is a membrane of fibrous tissue that encases the 
lymph node.
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Listing 13.13--Nervous System

    One commenter recommended that we rewrite listing 13.13 to separate 
neoplasms that require metastases from those that do not. The commenter 
provided a suggested revision, but we did not adopt it for two reasons. 
First, the revisions we proposed to the listing did separate the 
neoplasms that require metastases from those that do not. As we 
explained in the preamble to the NPRM:

We propose to make a minor editorial change to current listing 
13.13A1 for highly malignant central nervous system neoplasms to 
clarify that the requirement for documented metastases applies only 
to medulloblastoma or other primitive neuroectodermal tumors 
(PNETs), and not to grades III and IV astrocytomas, glioblastoma 
multiforme, and ependymoblastoma. This is what we intend in the 
current rule, but we want[ ] to make the current sentence structure 
clearer. Therefore, we propose to reorganize the sentence for 
clarity.\5\
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    \5\ See 73 FR at 22873.

Second, and more importantly, the language the commenter proposed could 
have been misinterpreted to include under this listing medulloblastomas 
and other PNETs that have not metastasized. This interpretation would 
have been contrary to our intent, as we explained when we last made 
comprehensive revisions to the malignant neoplastic diseases body 
system in 2004.\6\ In that final rule, we explained that we could 
evaluate medulloblastomas or other PNETs that have not metastasized 
under listing 13.13A2.
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    \6\ See 69 FR at 67024.
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Listing 13.23--Cancers of the Female Genital Tract

    One commenter pointed out that we have no listing for cancer of the 
vagina, nor do we provide guidance in the introductory text on how 
adjudicators should evaluate this malignancy. The commenter suggested 
that we revise listing 13.23C to include cancer of the vagina or that 
we explain which listing to use to evaluate this condition. We adopted 
this comment by including cancer of the vagina in listing 13.23C. The 
criteria for listing-level cancer of the vulva are also appropriate for 
cancer of the vagina. Under the prior rules, we would have found 
medical equivalence to this listing in such cases.
    Two commenters expressed concern about our proposal to remove prior 
listing 13.23E1c, for ovarian cancer with ruptured ovarian capsule, 
tumor on the serosal surface, ascites with malignant cells, or positive 
peritoneal washings. One comment letter said that the medical 
literature with which the commenters were familiar showed that ovarian 
cancer with these findings has a high mortality rate. However, in the 
NPRM we cited current medical literature indicating that therapy has 
significantly improved the prognosis for women who have ovarian cancer 
with these findings.\7\ Based on this medical literature, we believe 
that most women who have ovarian cancer with the findings in prior 
listing 13.23E1c have a good prognosis.
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    \7\ For the list of references we consulted, see 73 FR at 22875.
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    The other commenter, a national advocacy group for women with 
ovarian cancer, agreed with us that the prognosis for these cases has 
improved significantly, but recommended that we keep the listing to 
recognize the length and side effects of treatment. The commenter 
pointed out that women with these findings may undergo the same or 
similar surgery and chemotherapy as women with more advanced disease 
and that this treatment substantially limits those women's ability for 
gainful activity.
    While we appreciate the second commenter's concerns--and we agree 
that some women with the findings in the prior listing will be 
disabled--we did not adopt the recommendation to keep the listing, 
primarily because many women with the findings in prior listing 
13.23E1c will not be unable to work for at least 12 months. Even though 
they may be debilitated while they undergo treatment and for some time 
afterward, many of these women will have only minimal functional 
limitations 12 months after diagnosis. Therefore, it would be 
inappropriate for us to keep the prior listing, which would require us 
to find that all women with the listed criteria are disabled. We must 
evaluate these cases on an individual basis.
    Finally, two commenters recommended that we not remove the listing 
13.23E1c because there may be a recurrence of the disease, and a 
recurrence generally has a poor prognosis. We agree that recurrent 
ovarian cancer has a poor prognosis, but we already include it in final 
listing 13.23E1c, our criterion for recurrent ovarian cancer. As we 
have already noted, we cannot have a listing based only on a risk of 
recurrence.

Listing 13.24--Prostate Gland

    We did not adopt a suggestion that we clarify in the introductory 
text how our adjudicators should use the Gleason grading scale \8\ in 
connection with listing 13.24 because the listing criteria are not 
based on this scale. The listing requires that the tumor not respond to 
initial hormonal treatment or that it metastasize to internal organs. 
The

[[Page 51232]]

Gleason grade does not indicate whether the tumor meets these criteria.
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    \8\ The Gleason grades and scores are used to help evaluate the 
prognosis of men with prostate cancer.
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Other Changes From the NPRM

    We made a number of editorial corrections and changes in the final 
rules from the language of the NPRM. For example, we changed some 
sentences from passive into active voice. These changes are only for 
clarity, consistency, and to correct minor grammatical errors in the 
NPRM; none are substantive.

What is our authority to make rules and set procedures for determining 
whether a person is disabled under the statutory definition?

    Under the Act, we have full power and authority to make rules and 
regulations and to establish necessary and appropriate procedures to 
carry out such provisions. Sections 205(a), 702(a)(5), and 1631(d)(1).

Regulatory Procedures

Executive Order 12866

    We have consulted with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
and determined that these final rules meet the requirements for a 
significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866 and were 
subject to OMB review.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    We certify that these final rules have no significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities because they affect 
only individuals. Therefore, a regulatory flexibility analysis was not 
required under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, as amended.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This rule does not create any new or affect any existing 
collections and, therefore, does not require Office of Management and 
Budget approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Nos. 96.001, Social 
Security--Disability Insurance; 96.002, Social Security--Retirement 
Insurance; 96.004, Social Security--Survivors Insurance; and 96.006, 
Supplemental Security Income)

List of Subjects in 20 CFR Part 404

    Administrative practice and procedure, Blind, Disability benefits, 
Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Social Security.

    Dated: July 30, 2009.
Michael J. Astrue,
Commissioner of Social Security.

0
For the reasons set out in the preamble, we amend appendix 1 to subpart 
P of part 404 of chapter III of title 20 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations as set forth below:

PART 404--FEDERAL OLD-AGE, SURVIVORS AND DISABILITY INSURANCE 
(1950- )

0
1. The authority citation for subpart P of part 404 continues to read 
as follows:

    Authority:  Secs. 202, 205(a), (b), and (d)-(h), 216(i), 221(a) 
and (i), 222(c), 223, 225, and 702(a)(5) of the Social Security Act 
(42 U.S.C. 402, 405(a), (b), and (d)-(h), 416(i), 421(a) and (i), 
422(c), 423, 425, and 902(a)(5)); sec. 211(b), Pub. L. 104-193, 110 
Stat. 2105, 2189; sec. 202, Pub. L. 108-203, 118 Stat. 509 (42 
U.S.C. 902 note).


0
2. Amend appendix 1 to subpart P of Part 404 as follows:
0
a. Revise item 14 of the introductory text before part A of appendix 1.
0
b. Revise paragraph E2 of section 13.00 of part A of appendix 1.
0
c. Revise the second sentence of paragraph H2 and add a new second 
sentence to paragraph H3 of section 13.00 of part A of appendix 1.
0
d. Revise paragraph I of section 13.00 of part A of appendix 1.
0
e. Amend paragraph K of section 13.00 of part A of appendix 1 by 
revising K1a, K1b, the third sentence of K2a, and K6.
0
f. Revise listing 13.02C of part A of appendix 1.
0
g. Revise listing 13.03B2 of part A of appendix 1.
0
h. Amend listing 13.05 of part A of appendix 1 by revising the listing 
13.05A.
0
i. Amend listing 13.09 of part A of appendix 1 by adding the word 
``OR'' after listing 13.09B and adding listing 13.09C.
0
j. Revise listing 13.10B of part A of appendix 1.
0
k. Revise the heading of listing 13.11 of part A of appendix 1.
0
l. Revise listing 13.13A of part A of appendix 1.
0
m. Amend listing 13.14 of part A of appendix 1 by adding the word 
``OR'' after listing 13.14B and adding listing 13.14C.
0
n. Revise listings 13.23C and 13.23E1 of part A of appendix 1.
0
o. Revise listing 13.24B of part A of appendix 1.
0
p. Revise listing 13.27 of part A of appendix 1.
0
q. Revise paragraph E2 of section 113.00 of part B of appendix 1.
0
r. Revise the second sentence of paragraph H2 and add a new second 
sentence to paragraph H3 of section 113.00 of part B of appendix 1.
0
s. Revise paragraph I of section 113.00 of part B of appendix 1.
0
t. Amend paragraph K of section 113.00 of part B of appendix 1 by 
revising K1a, the third sentence of K2a, and K4.
0
u. Amend listing 113.09 of part B of appendix 1 by adding the word 
``OR'' after listing 113.09B and adding listing 113.09C.
0
v. Revise listing 113.13 of part B of appendix 1.
    The revised text is set forth as follows:

Appendix 1 to Subpart P of Part 404--Listing of Impairments

* * * * *
    14. Malignant Neoplastic Diseases (13.00 and 113.00): November 
5, 2017
* * * * *

Part A

* * * * *

13.00 MALIGNANT NEOPLASTIC DISEASES

* * * * *
    E. When do we need longitudinal evidence?
* * * * *
    2. Other malignancies. When there are no distant metastases, 
many of the listings require that we consider your response to 
initial antineoplastic therapy; that is, the initial planned 
treatment regimen. This therapy may consist of a single modality or 
a combination of modalities; that is, multimodal therapy (see 
13.00I3).
* * * * *
    H. How long do we consider your impairment to be disabling?
* * * * *
    2. * * * When the impairment(s) has been in complete remission 
for at least 3 years, that is, the original tumor or a recurrence 
(or relapse) and any metastases have not been evident for at least 3 
years, the impairment(s) will no longer meet or medically equal the 
criteria of a listing in this body system.
    3. * * * If you have a recurrence or relapse of your malignancy, 
your impairment may meet or medically equal one of the listings in 
this body system again.
* * * * *
    I. What do we mean by the following terms?
    1. Inoperable: Surgery is thought to be of no therapeutic value 
or the surgery cannot be performed; for example, when you cannot 
tolerate anesthesia or surgery because of another impairment(s), or 
you have a tumor that is too large or that has invaded crucial 
structures. This term does not include situations in which your 
tumor could have been surgically removed but another method of 
treatment was chosen; for example, an attempt at organ preservation. 
Your physician may determine whether a tumor is inoperable before or 
after you receive neoadjuvant therapy. Neoadjuvant therapy is 
antineoplastic therapy, such as chemotherapy or radiation, given 
before surgery in order to reduce the size of the tumor.
    2. Metastases: The spread of tumor cells by blood, lymph, or 
other body fluid. This term does not include the spread of tumor 
cells by direct extension of the tumor to other tissues or organs.

[[Page 51233]]

    3. Multimodal therapy: A combination of at least two types of 
treatment modalities given in close proximity as a unified whole and 
usually planned before any treatment has begun. There are three 
types of treatment modalities: Surgery, radiation, and systemic drug 
therapy (chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and immunotherapy).
    Examples of multimodal therapy include:
    a. Surgery followed by chemotherapy or radiation.
    b. Chemotherapy followed by surgery.
    c. Chemotherapy and concurrent radiation.
    4. Persistent: Failure to achieve a complete remission.
    5. Progressive: The malignancy becomes more extensive after 
treatment.
    6. Recurrent, relapse: A malignancy that was in complete 
remission or entirely removed by surgery has returned.
    7. Unresectable: Surgery was performed, but the malignant tumor 
was not removed. This term includes situations in which your tumor 
is incompletely resected or the surgical margins are positive. It 
does not include situations in which a tumor is completely resected 
but you are receiving adjuvant therapy. Adjuvant therapy is 
antineoplastic therapy, such as chemotherapy or radiation, given 
after surgery in order to eliminate any remaining cancer cells and 
lessen the chance of recurrence.
* * * * *
    K. How do we evaluate specific malignant neoplastic diseases?
    1. Lymphoma.
    a. Many indolent (non-aggressive) lymphomas are controlled by 
well-tolerated treatment modalities, although the lymphomas may 
produce intermittent symptoms and signs. Therefore, we may defer 
adjudicating these cases for an appropriate period after therapy is 
initiated to determine whether the therapy will achieve its intended 
effect, which is usually to stabilize the disease process. (See 
13.00E3.) When your disease has been stabilized, we will assess 
severity based on the extent of involvement of other organ systems 
and residuals from therapy.
    b. A change in therapy for indolent lymphomas is usually an 
indicator that the therapy is not achieving its intended effect. 
However, your impairment will not meet the requirements of 13.05A2 
if your therapy is changed solely because you or your physician 
choose to change it, not because of a failure to achieve stability.
* * * * *
    2. Leukemia.
    a. Acute leukemia. * * * Recurrent disease must be documented by 
peripheral blood, bone marrow, or cerebrospinal fluid examination, 
or by testicular biopsy. * * *
* * * * *
    6. Brain tumors. We use the criteria in 13.13 to evaluate 
malignant brain tumors. We consider a brain tumor to be malignant if 
it is classified as grade II or higher under the World Health 
Organization (WHO) classification of tumors of the central nervous 
system (WHO Classification of Tumours of the Central Nervous System, 
2007). We evaluate any complications of malignant brain tumors, such 
as resultant neurological or psychological impairments, under the 
criteria for the affected body system. We evaluate benign brain 
tumors under 11.05.
* * * * *
    13.02 Soft tissue tumors of the head and neck (except salivary 
glands--13.08--and thyroid gland--13.09).
* * * * *
    C. Recurrent disease following initial antineoplastic therapy, 
except recurrence in the true vocal cord.
* * * * *
    13.03 Skin.
* * * * *
    B. Melanoma, as described in 1 or 2.
* * * * *
    2. With metastases as described in a, b, or c:
    a. Metastases to one or more clinically apparent nodes; that is, 
nodes that are detected by imaging studies (excluding 
lymphoscintigraphy) or by clinical examination.
    b. If the nodes are not clinically apparent, with metastases to 
four or more nodes.
    c. Metastases to adjacent skin (satellite lesions) or distant 
sites.
* * * * *
    13.05 Lymphoma (excluding T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma--13.06). 
(See 13.00K1 and 13.00K2c.)
    A. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, as described in 1 or 2:
    1. Aggressive lymphoma (including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma) 
persistent or recurrent following initial antineoplastic therapy.
    2. Indolent lymphoma (including mycosis fungoides and follicular 
small cleaved cell) requiring initiation of more than one 
antineoplastic treatment regimen within a consecutive 12-month 
period. Consider under a disability from at least the date of 
initiation of the treatment regimen that failed within 12 months.
* * * * *
    13.09 Thyroid gland.
    B. * * *
OR
    C. Medullary carcinoma with metastases beyond the regional lymph 
nodes.
    13.10 Breast (except sarcoma--13.04). (See 13.00K4.)
* * * * *
    B. Carcinoma with metastases to the supraclavicular or 
infraclavicular nodes, to 10 or more axillary nodes, or with distant 
metastases.
* * * * *
    13.11 Skeletal system--sarcoma.
* * * * *
    13.13 Nervous system. (See 13.00K6.)
    A. Central nervous system malignant neoplasms (brain and spinal 
cord), as described in 1 or 2:
    1. Highly malignant tumors, such as medulloblastoma or other 
primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) with documented metastases, 
grades III and IV astrocytomas, glioblastoma multiforme, 
ependymoblastoma, diffuse intrinsic brain stem gliomas, or primary 
sarcomas.
    2. Progressive or recurrent following initial antineoplastic 
therapy.
OR
* * * * *
    13.14 Lungs.
    B. * * *
OR
    C. Carcinoma of the superior sulcus (including Pancoast tumors) 
with multimodal antineoplastic therapy. Consider under a disability 
until at least 18 months from the date of diagnosis. Thereafter, 
evaluate any residual impairment(s) under the criteria for the 
affected body system.
* * * * *
    13.23 Cancers of the female genital tract--carcinoma or sarcoma.
* * * * *
    C. Vulva or vagina, as described in 1, 2, or 3:
    1. Invading adjoining organs.
    2. With metastases to or beyond the regional lymph nodes.
    3. Persistent or recurrent following initial antineoplastic 
therapy.
* * * * *
    E. Ovaries, as described in 1 or 2:
    1. All tumors except germ cell tumors, with at least one of the 
following:
    a. Tumor extension beyond the pelvis; for example, tumor 
implants on peritoneal, omental, or bowel surfaces.
    b. Metastases to or beyond the regional lymph nodes.
    c. Recurrent following initial antineoplastic therapy.
* * * * *
    13.24 Prostate gland--carcinoma.
* * * * *
    B. With visceral metastases (metastases to internal organs).
* * * * *
    13.27 Primary site unknown after appropriate search for 
primary--metastatic carcinoma or sarcoma, except for squamous cell 
carcinoma confined to the neck nodes.
* * * * *
    Part B
* * * * *

113.00 MALIGNANT NEOPLASTIC DISEASES

* * * * *
    E. When do we need longitudinal evidence?
* * * * *
    2. Other malignancies. When there are no distant metastases, 
many of the listings require that we consider your response to 
initial antineoplastic therapy; that is, the initial planned 
treatment regimen. This therapy may consist of a single modality or 
a combination of modalities; that is, multimodal therapy (see 
113.00I2).
* * * * *
    H. How long do we consider your impairment to be disabling?
* * * * *
    2. * * * When the impairment(s) has been in complete remission 
for at least 3 years, that is, the original tumor or a recurrence 
(or relapse) and any metastases have not been evident for at least 3 
years, the impairment(s)

[[Page 51234]]

will no longer meet or medically equal the criteria of a listing in 
this body system.
    3. * * * If you have a recurrence or relapse of your malignancy, 
your impairment may meet or medically equal one of the listings in 
this body system again.
* * * * *
    I. What do we mean by the following terms?
    1. Metastases: The spread of tumor cells by blood, lymph, or 
other body fluid. This term does not include the spread of tumor 
cells by direct extension of the tumor to other tissue or organs.
    2. Multimodal therapy: A combination of at least two types of 
treatment modalities given in close proximity as a unified whole and 
usually planned before any treatment has begun. There are three 
types of treatment modalities: Surgery, radiation, and systemic drug 
therapy (chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and immunotherapy). 
Examples of multimodal therapy include:
    a. Surgery followed by chemotherapy or radiation.
    b. Chemotherapy followed by surgery.
    c. Chemotherapy and concurrent radiation.
    3. Persistent: Failure to achieve a complete remission.
    4. Progressive: The malignancy becomes more extensive despite 
treatment.
    5. Recurrent, relapse: A malignancy that was in complete 
remission or entirely removed by surgery has returned.
* * * * *
    K. How do we evaluate specific malignant neoplastic diseases?
    1. Lymphoma.
    a. We provide criteria for evaluating aggressive lymphomas that 
have not responded to antineoplastic therapy in 113.05. Indolent 
(non-aggressive) lymphomas are rare in children. We will evaluate 
indolent lymphomas in children under 13.05 in part A.
* * * * *
    2. Leukemia.
    a. Acute leukemia. * * * Recurrent disease must be documented by 
peripheral blood, bone marrow, or cerebrospinal fluid examination, 
or by testicular biopsy. * * *
* * * * *
    4. Brain tumors. We use the criteria in 113.13 to evaluate 
malignant brain tumors. We consider a brain tumor to be malignant if 
it is classified as grade II or higher under the World Health 
Organization (WHO) classification of tumors of the central nervous 
system (WHO Classification of Tumours of the Central Nervous System, 
2007). We evaluate any complications of malignant brain tumors, such 
as resultant neurological or psychological impairments, under the 
criteria for the affected body system. We evaluate benign brain 
tumors under 111.05.
* * * * *
    113.09 Thyroid gland.
    B. * * *
OR
    C. Medullary carcinoma with metastases beyond the regional lymph 
nodes.
* * * * *
    113.13 Brain tumors. (See 113.00K4.) Highly malignant tumors, 
such as medulloblastoma or other primitive neuroectodermal tumors 
(PNETs) with documented metastases, grades III and IV astrocytomas, 
glioblastoma multiforme, ependymoblastoma, diffuse intrinsic brain 
stem gliomas, or primary sarcomas.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. E9-23896 Filed 10-5-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P