Neoplastic (cancer) diseases can strike virtually every organ system in the human body.   Its effects and mortality rates depend upon the location and type of cancerous growth involved.  It would be impossible to list the symptoms of cancer because of the number of organ possibilities and locations.  Generally, cancer symptoms are determined by the type, location and degree of disease involvement.  Therefore, we will concentrate our attentions on teaching you how to beat the approach SSA takes to neoplastic disease.

General Evaluation

    The following is a list of variables which should always be considered when evaluating cancerous disorders.  Pay close attention to the questions being asked below.  These questions represent the most important considerations SSA has when it reviews a cancer case.

1.  What is the location of the cancerous lesion?  Does this location represent the primary or secondary site?

    The primary site of a cancerous lesion is defined as the original lesion or site of first involvement.  The secondary site represents the location of spreading from the primary cancerous site.  This secondary spreading is referred to as metastasis.  

2. Given the location of the cancer, how is the lesion affecting the claimant?   What are the claimant's symptoms?

     Note:  As with any disorder, the symptoms must be identified and verified before you can determine an appropriate RFC.

3.  Identify the supporting evidence.  Note X-ray findings, pathology reports, biopsies, CT scans, physical exam findings, surgeries, oncology consults and any other data which supports the diagnosis and physical restrictions.

4.  If surgery has been done, was the lesion completely or partially removed?  Has there been a recurrence of the same type of cancerous lesion at a different site?   Has any medical source stated that the lesion is inoperable?

5.  What is the patient's prognosis?  Is the lesion expected to result in death?

6.  What effects have there been on the claimant's physical state from the treatment of the cancerous lesion?  Does the treatment itself cause the claimant to be debilitated?  

7.  What is the claimant's mental state like in view of the disorder?  Is there significant depression, anxiety, or reduction in mental capacity (cognitive skills), as a result of the disorder or its treatment?

8.  Are there any other significant disorders being suffered by the claimant at the same time as he/she is suffering from cancer?   Additional impairments may mean additional restrictions which can lead to an allowance.

9.  Has there been or will there be frequent hospitalizations or outpatient treatments for cancer treatment, which will take up a large amount of the claimant's time?

    If the claimant must be in treatment, he can't be on a job.  Remember, the disease must be expected to last twelve months despite treatment.

    If you answer the above concerns on claimants with neoplastic disease, you will be able to extract enough supportive evidence to produce at least a fair argument for disability. 

    Remember that a claimant must be fully capable of performing work of any type in a competitive environment.  If it is reasonable to assume that an employer would not hire a claimant due to a disease induced lack of competitiveness, it is also reasonable to consider that claimant to be totally disabled.