What should you do if a patient develops multiple invasive tumors at the same time?

Assigning the lowest sequence number to the worst prognosis is appropriate because it reflects the idea that when multiple invasive tumors are diagnosed simultaneously, the tumor with the most severe implications for patient health should be prioritized in the staging and treatment planning. This approach aligns with standard practices in oncology, where the most significant tumor — often determined by factors like size, grade, and potential for metastasis — is assigned a lower sequence number. The sequence number serves to document the order of diagnosis and can play a critical role in treatment decisions, clinical trial eligibility, and patient prognostication.

This method of prioritizing the sequence numbers based on prognostic significance helps clinicians communicate more effectively about the patient’s condition and facilitate better management strategies. By reflecting the clinical reality of tumor severity, it ensures that the registered data is more aligned with the actual clinical challenges faced by the patient.