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LOINC Code 22003-8: Site and laterality and morphology override flag Cancer case

22003-8 is a LOINC code used to identify Site and laterality and morphology override flag Cancer case in laboratory and clinical observation data. You may see this code in lab systems, lab reports, EHR exports, interoperability feeds, or other structured clinical data exchanges. LOINC codes identify tests, measurements, observations, survey items, and clinical questions in a standardized way. It is associated with the component Site & laterality & morphology override flag. It is commonly used with the system or sample type Cancer case.XXX.

Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 21 May 2026

What is this code?

LOINC codes identify tests, measurements, observations, survey items, and clinical questions in a standardized way. It is associated with the component Site & laterality & morphology override flag. It is commonly used with the system or sample type Cancer case.XXX.

When is it used?

  • Used in lab systems, EHRs, and clinical data exchange.
  • May identify a test, observation, survey item, or clinical document request rather than a diagnosis.
  • Status: ACTIVE

What it does not mean

  • The code identifies the observation or test, not the actual result.

Key facts

Site and laterality and morphology override flag Cancer case
Site & laterality & morphology override flag
Some computer edits identify errors. Others indicate possible errors that require manual review for resolution. To eliminate the need to review the same cases repeatedly, over-ride flags have been developed to indicate that data in a record (or records) have been reviewed and, while unusual, are correct. This over-ride is used with the following edits in the NAACCR Metafile of the EDITS softwareLaterality, Primary Site, Morphology (NAACCR IF42) Laterality, Primary Site, Morphology (SEER IF42) Laterality, Primary Site, Morph ICDO3 (NAACCR IF42) Laterality, Primary Site, Morph ICDO3 (SEER IF42) Some edits check for code combinations that are possible, but quite rare. If the code combination generates an error message and review of the case indicates that the codes are correct for the case, then the over-ride flag is used to skip the edit in the future. See Chapter IV, Recommended Data Edits and Software Coordination of Standards. Over-ride Flag as Used in the EDITS Software Package Edits of the type Laterality, Primary Site, Morph differ in whether they produce a warning or an error message and in use of ICD-O-2 (including the Field Trial Editions) or ICD-O-3 morphology and do the following: If the Primary Site is a paired organ and Behavior is in situ (2), then laterality must be 1, 2, or 3. If diagnosis year less than 1988 and histology >= 9590, no further editing is performed. If diagnosis year greater than 1987 and histology = 9140, 9700, 9701, 9590-9980, no further editing is performed. The intent of this edit is to force review of in situ cases for which laterality is coded 4 (bilateral) or 9 (unknown laterality) as to origin. In rare instances when the tumor is truly midline (9) or the rare combination is otherwise confirmed correct, enter a code 1 for Override Site/Lat/Morph. Instructions for Coding Leave blank if the program does not generate an error message for the edit Laterality, Primary site, Morphology (SEER IF 42) and/or the edit Laterality, Primary site, Morph ICDO3 (SEER IF42). Leave blank and correct any errors for the case if an item is discovered to be incorrect. Code 1 if review of site, laterality and morphology verifies that the case had behavior code of "in situ" and laterality is not stated as "right: origin of primary;" "left: origin of primary;" or "only one side involved, right or left origin not specified"... NAACCR Data Standards and Data Dictionary Version 11
Arbitrary; CA; Misc; Miscellaneous; Oncology; Ordinal; Other; Point in time; QL; Qual; Qualitative; Random; Screen; Site/lat/morph O/R; Spec; To be specified in another part of the message; TUMOR REGISTRY(NAACCR); Unspecified

Where you may see this code

You may see this code in lab systems, lab reports, EHR exports, interoperability feeds, or other structured clinical data exchanges.

Common synonyms

Site and laterality and morphology override flag Cancer caseSite/lat/morph O/R Cancer caseSite & laterality & morphology override flagTUMRRGTArbPtCancer case.XXX

Frequently asked questions

Code details

Code22003-8
SystemLOINC
Display nameSite and laterality and morphology override flag Cancer case
DescriptionSite & laterality & morphology override flag
Short nameSite/lat/morph O/R Cancer case
ComponentSite & laterality & morphology override flag
PropertyArb
TimingPt
System (specimen)Cancer case.XXX
ScaleOrd
ClassTUMRRGT
StatusACTIVE

Flags

BillableNo
Valid clinical useNo

Source

SourceLOINC
Version2.82
Releasemain
First released1.0m
Last changed2.38

Part names

Site & laterality & morphology override flagArbPtCancer case.XXXOrdSite and laterality and morphology override flagArbitraryPoint in time (spot)Cancer case XXX

About this content

This page is prepared by HealthAssure's clinical team using official coding standards from LOINC. AI tools assist with drafting explanations, which are then reviewed and verified by healthcare professionals for accuracy. This content is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Meet our team.