EEOICPA BULLETIN NO. 02-04
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Subject:
Rectal Cancer as a Specified Primary Cancer
Background: The
District Offices have reviewed some Special Exposure Cohort (SEC) cases from
gaseous diffusion plants where the only cancer diagnosis was rectal
cancer. The specified cancer list in
EEOICPA Section 7384l(17) includes colon cancer, but not rectal
cancer. The intent of this Bulletin is
to clarify the relationship of these two cancers and their inclusion as
specified primary cancers under EEOICPA Section 7384l(17).
The colon and
rectum form a long, muscular tube called the large intestine (also called the
large bowel). The colon is the first 6 feet of the large intestine, and the
rectum is the last 8 to 10 inches. The rectum is composed of the same tissue/cell
type as the colon.
Because of this anatomical similarity, it is DOL’s
intent to consider rectal cancer as the same as colon cancer. Consequently, rectal cancer should now be
considered a primary specified cancer based on colon cancer being listed in
EEOICPA Section 7384l(17) and
used as such for determining
eligibility for members of the Special Exposure Cohort (SEC) per EEOICPA
Section 7384l(14).
Reference: Energy Employees Occupational Illness
Compensation Program Act of 2000, As Amended, 42 U.S.C. § 7384 et seq., Sections 7384l (14) and (17).
Purpose: To notify District Offices to
consider rectal cancer as similar to colon cancer, which is a
specified primary cancer.
Applicability: All staff.
Actions:
1. The CE should consider rectal cancer as being
the same as colon cancer, which is a specified primary cancer per EEOICPA Section 7384l(17). The rationale is based on the fact that the
rectum and the colon are composed of the
same tissue/cell types. Anatomically, it
is appropriate to consider cancers of the colon and rectum to be the same.
2. Since
colon and rectal cancers are considered anatomically similar, rectal cancer can
now be considered as a specified primary cancer in determining eligibility for members of the Special Exposure Cohort
(SEC) per EEOICPA Section 7384l(14).
3. The CE should continue to distinguish colon
from rectal cancers using the appropriate ICD-9 codes on all appropriate
paperwork. For example, the ICD-9 codes for a malignant neoplasm
of the colon is 153 and for the rectum it is 154.1. For cancers that
arise at the junction of these two areas, the ICD-9 code 154.0, for the rectosigmoid junction, can be used.
Disposition:
Retain until incorporated in the Federal (EEOICPA) Procedure Manual.
PETER TURCIC
Director,
Division of Energy Employees
Occupational
Illness Compensation