What you have to prove
Metastatic carcinoma, except for squamous cell carcinoma confined to the neck nodes.
Medical evidence SSA expects
Pathology (from biopsied metastasis), imaging survey, and oncology notes.
Common misconceptions
Squamous cell head/neck lymph node disease from an unknown primary is sometimes curable and therefore excluded. Most true unknown-primary adenocarcinomas meet the listing.
Didn't meet the listing? You can still qualify via a Medical-Vocational
Allowance — SSA's determination that your residual functional capacity, combined with
your age, education, and work history, leaves no jobs you can do. See our
appeals guide for what to do after an initial denial.