Listing code
13.08
Adult (Part A)
Body system
13.00
Cancer (malignant neoplastic diseases)
Subsections
0
No lettered criteria
Step in evaluation
3 of 5
Listing match approves the claim
SSA listing text and criteria
Salivary glands --carcinoma or sarcoma with metastases beyond the regional lymph nodes.
This listing has no lettered subsections. The diagnosis itself, supported by the medical evidence described in the body-system overview, is what SSA evaluates.
Source: SSA Blue Book listing 13.08. Last synced 2026-05-04.
Where claims under 13.08 usually fail
Missing the metastasis extent is the biggest pitfall, for example having cancer only within the regional lymph nodes or only describing a primary tumor without stating that metastases are beyond those nodes. Another pitfall is having an unclear site or diagnosis, because the evidence SSA needs must specify the type, extent, and site of the primary, recurrent, or metastatic lesion. People also sometimes submit procedure records without the needed pathology detail, even though operative procedures like biopsy or needle aspiration generally need both an operative note and a pathology report. Finally, some claims fall short when evidence does not describe the metastatic findings clearly enough for SSA to evaluate extent of involvement.
Medical evidence that strengthens this claim
Medical evidence should specify the type, extent, and site of the primary, recurrent, or metastatic lesion. If a biopsy or needle aspiration was done, SSA generally needs both the operative note and the pathology report. If those documents cannot be obtained, SSA can accept a summary of hospitalization(s) or other medical reports, but those should include details of surgical findings and, when appropriate, pathological findings. Evidence about recurrence, persistence, progression, response to therapy, and significant post-therapeutic residuals may be needed in some situations, especially for cancer where these factors affect evaluation.
What happens if your records do not meet this listing
If the medical evidence does not show salivary gland carcinoma or sarcoma with metastases beyond the regional lymph nodes, SSA will not use 13.08 as the controlling listing. The evaluation then moves to other steps where SSA considers the overall impact of the cancer using the residual functional capacity (RFC), including effects of any post-therapeutic residuals. For many cancer cases, decisions can still be based on other listings or on functional limitations even if one specific listing criterion is not met.
Work activity and the SGA gate for this condition
At the start of an SSDI claim, work activity matters under the substantial gainful activity (SGA) rules, while later eligibility depends on medical severity under the approved basis. For a cancer scenario covered by 13.08, the requirement is carcinoma or sarcoma of the salivary glands with metastases beyond the regional lymph nodes, which reflects a far-advanced extent of involvement. After an approval, SSDI continues under the usual rules while trial work and continued eligibility concepts apply in the normal way for people who are approved. If medical improvement occurs and the impairment no longer meets the required severity, SSA may later evaluate whether the condition still qualifies, but the key medical focus for 13.08 remains the presence of metastases beyond the regional lymph nodes.
Listing 13.08 FAQ
Questions that come up repeatedly for salivary glands --carcinoma or sarcoma with metastases beyond the regional lymph nodes disability claims.