Listing code
13.12
Adult (Part A)
Body system
13.00
Cancer (malignant neoplastic diseases)
Subsections
3
Lettered criteria paths
Step in evaluation
3 of 5
Listing match approves the claim
SSA listing text and criteria
Maxilla, orbit, or temporal fossa.
Subsection A
Sarcoma or carcinoma of any type with regional or distant metastases. OR
Subsection B
Carcinoma of the antrum with extension into the orbit or ethmoid or sphenoid sinus. OR
Subsection C
Cancer with extension to the orbit, meninges, sinuses, or base of the skull.
Source: SSA Blue Book listing 13.12. Last synced 2026-05-04.
Where claims under 13.12 usually fail
A frequent problem is providing pathology and a diagnosis but not medical evidence that specifies the type of cancer and the location and extent of spread, as required under the 13.00 cancer evidence rules. Another failure mode is missing the location details called for in 13.12B, such as extension into the orbit or into the ethmoid or sphenoid sinus, for carcinoma of the antrum. Some people also stop at saying cancer is present around the face without showing regional or distant metastases for Subsection A. Others may describe tumor near the skull without documenting extension to the orbit, meninges, sinuses, or the base of the skull for Subsection C.
Medical evidence that strengthens this claim
SSA needs medical evidence that specifies the type, extent, and site of the primary, recurrent, or metastatic lesion under the 13.00 cancer evidence requirements. For biopsy or needle aspiration, SSA generally needs both an operative note and a pathology report. If those documents cannot be obtained, SSA accepts a summary of hospitalization(s) or other medical reports, including details of surgical findings and, when appropriate, pathological findings. When the primary site cannot be identified, evidence documenting the sites of metastasis can be used to evaluate the impairment under 13.27.
What happens if your records do not meet this listing
Step 4 evaluates what activities remain possible despite the cancer using a residual functional capacity assessment. Step 5 then looks at whether remaining abilities allow work in light of other vocational factors. Many claims that do not match all parts of a specific listing still succeed if the overall medical picture limits functioning beyond what is expected for basic work activities.
Work activity and the SGA gate for this condition
At the start of an SSDI claim, work activity can still count even with cancer. The listing-level medical criteria focus on sarcoma or carcinoma with regional or distant metastases (13.12A), specific extension patterns for carcinoma of the antrum (13.12B), and extension involving the orbit, meninges, sinuses, or the base of the skull (13.12C). If approved, benefits continue under the program rules that apply after a finding of disability, and work activity is handled through the trial work period and then any extended period of eligibility.
Listing 13.12 FAQ
Questions that come up repeatedly for maxilla, orbit, or temporal fossa disability claims.