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PUF_FACILITY_ID
The facility reporting the case to the NCDB. Codes are anonymized. The facility random IDs are assigned regardless of cancer site, so you may identify the same facilities across cancer sites.
FACILITY_TYPE_CD
Each facility reporting cases to the NCDB is assigned a category classification by the Commission on Cancer Accreditation program. This item provides a general classification of the structural characteristics of each reporting facility.
For additional information about CoC accreditation categories see https://www.facs.org/quality-programs/cancer/accredited/about/categories. Please note that for hospitals who are categorized as Integrated Network Cancer Programs, there is no information in the PUF data as to when these facilities became part of a Network. Some facilities may have been in a Network throughout the time period in the PUF, whereas others may have only recently become part of a Network. Additionally, facilities designated in the Network category could previously been assigned a different category before joining their Network, such as Community, Academic, etc. Keep this in mind when analyzing facility type data, as Networks are comprised of several different types of facilities, but are only classified as Integrated Network Cancer Program in the PUF data. The hospital category in the PUF only represents the current designation of the facility.
See Data De-identification and Confidentiality for a description of the handling of some categories. Please note that VA/DoD facilities are not included in the PUF files, and therefore are not identifiable as a type of cancer program.
This item is suppressed for cases aged 0-39.
Community Cancer Program
Comprehensive Community Cancer Program
Academic/Research Program (includes NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers)
Integrated Network Cancer Program
Other or unknown types of cancer programs
FACILITY_LOCATION_CD
The US Census Division of the reporting facility.
State Grouping
CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT
NJ, NY, PA
DC, DE, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, WV
East North Central
IL, IN, MI, OH, WI
AL, KY, MS, TN
IA, KS, MN, MO, ND, NE, SD
AR, LA, OK, TX
AZ, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, UT, WY
AK, CA, HI, OR, WA
000 - 090, 999
Right Justified, Zero-filled
Records the age of the patient at his or her last birthday before diagnosis.
If the patient has multiple primaries, then the age at diagnosis may be different for subsequent primaries.
In utero Date of Initial Diagnosis (NAACCR Item #390) was coded as equal to the Date of Birth (NAACCR Item #240) in the past. Beginning in 2009, assignment is to the pre-birth date on which the diagnosis occurs. Age at Diagnosis is assigned 000 for these cases.
For compliance with HIPAA privacy requirements, all patients age 90 or over at diagnosis are shown as 090.
Less than one year old, or diagnosed in utero
One to eighty nine years old
Ninety or older
Age at diagnosis unknown
1 - 4, 9
Identifies the sex of the patient.
Record the patient's sex as indicated in the medical record.
Due to low case counts, any sex other than male or female is suppressed in the PUF data.
01 - 08, 10-17, 20 - 22, 25 - 28, 30 - 32, 96 - 99
Identifies the primary race of the person
Race is analyzed with Spanish/Hispanic Origin (NAACCR Item #190). Both items must be recorded. All tumors for the same patient should have the same race code.
Codes 08-13 became effective with diagnoses on or after January 1, 1988.
Code 14 became effective with diagnoses on or after January 1, 1994.
Codes 15 was changed from 09 and split into 16 and 17 in 2010; converted cases are likely to appear as 15.
Codes 20-97 became effective with diagnoses on or after January 1, 1991. SEER participants in San Francisco, San JoseBMonterey, and Los Angeles are permitted to use codes 14 and 20-97 for cases diagnosed after January 1, 1987.
Note: Beginning in 2001 cancer registries recorded multiple race codes, as many as five. These additional race codes are infrequently reported and are not provided as part of this file
American Indian, Aleutian, or Eskimo
Kampuchean (including Khmer and Cambodian)
Asian Indian or Pakistani, NOS (formerly code 09)
Micronesian, NOS
Chamorran
Guamanian, NOS
Polynesian, NOS
Melanesian, NOS
Fiji Islander
Other Asian, including Asian, NOS and Oriental, NOS
Pacific Islander, NOS
SPANISH_HISPANIC_ORIGIN
Identifies persons of Spanish or Hispanic origin.
Persons of Spanish or Hispanic origin may be of any race, but these categories are generally not used for Native Americans, Filipinos, or others who may have Spanish names.
Code 0 (Non-Spanish; non-Hispanic) for Portuguese and Brazilian persons.
If the patient has multiple tumors, all records should have the same code.
Non-Spanish; non-Hispanic
Mexican (includes Chicano)
South or Central America (except Brazil)
Other specified Spanish/Hispanic origin (includes European)
Spanish, NOS; Hispanic, NOS; Latino, NOS (There is evidence other than surname or maiden name that the person is Hispanic, but he/she cannot be assigned to any category of 1 - 5)
Spanish surname only (The only evidence of the person's Hispanic origin is surname or maiden name, and there is no contrary evidence that the person is not Hispanic)
Dominican Republic (for use with patients who were diagnosed with cancer on January 1, 2005, or later)
Unknown whether Spanish or not; not stated in patient record
INSURANCE_STATUS
Identifies the patient's primary insurance carrier at the time of initial diagnosis and/or treatment.
Record the type of insurance reported on the patient's admission page.
If more than one payer or insurance carrier is listed on the patient's admission page record the first.
If the patient's payer or insurance carrier changes, do not change the initially recorded code.
Note: The category Medicare with Supplemental insurance is only reported for patients diagnosed on or after January 1, 2006.
Private Insurance / Managed Care
Insurance Status Unknown
Income 2000
MED_INC_QUAR_00
1 – 4, 9
Median household income for each patient's area of residence is estimated by matching the zip code of the patient recorded at the time of diagnosis against files derived from year 2000 US Census data. Household income is categorized as quartiles based on equally proportioned income ranges among all US zip codes.
NO_HSD_QUAR_00
This measure of educational attainment for each patient's area of residence is estimated by matching the zip code of the patient recorded at the time of diagnosis against files derived from year 2000 US Census data. This item provides a measure of the number of adults in the patient's zip code who did not graduate from high school, and is categorized as equally proportioned quartiles among all US zip codes.
20% - 28.9%
14%-19.9%
Urban/Rural 2003
UR_CD_03
Area-based measure of rurality and urban influence, using the typology published by the USDA Economic Research Service.
This item was estimated by matching the state and county FIPS code of the patient recorded at the time of diagnosis against 2003 files published by the United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service (http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/rural-urban-continuum-codes).
Rural-Urban continuum codes form a classification scheme that distinguishes metropolitan (metro) counties by the population size of their metro area, and nonmetropolitan (nonmetro) counties by degree of urbanization and adjacency to a metro area or areas. The metro and nonmetro categories have been subdivided into three metro and six nonmetro groupings, resulting in a nine-part county codification. The codes allow researchers working with data to break such data into finer residential groups beyond a simple metro-nonmetro dichotomy, particularly for the analysis of trends in nonmetro areas that may be related to degree of rurality and metro proximity.
Metro counties:
Counties in metro areas of 1 million population or more
Counties in metro areas of 250,000 to 1 million population
Counties in metro areas of fewer than 250,000 population
Urban counties:
Urban population of 20,000 or more, adjacent to a metro area.
Urban population of 20,000 or more, not adjacent to a metro area.
Urban population of 2,500 to 19,999, adjacent to a metro area.
Urban population of 2,500 to 19,999, not adjacent to a metro area.
Rural counties:
Completely rural or less than 2,500 urban population, adjacent to a metro area
Completely rural or less than 2,500 urban population, not adjacent to a metro area
blank Not Available
Income 2008-2012
Median household income for each patient's area of residence is estimated by matching the zip code of the patient recorded at the time of diagnosis against files derived from the 2012 American Community Survey data, spanning years 2008-2012 and adjusted for 2012 inflation. Household income is categorized as quartiles based on equally proportioned income ranges among all US zip codes. Due to differences in collection methodology, comparisons with Census 2000 income data should be done with caution. See https://www.census.gov/acs/www/guidance_for_data_users/comparing_2012/ for more information.
This measure of educational attainment for each patient's area of residence is estimated by matching the zip code of the patient recorded at the time of diagnosis against files derived from the 2012 American Community Survey data, spanning years 2008-2012. This item provides a measure of the number of adults in the patient's zip code who did not graduate from high school, and is categorized as equally proportioned quartiles among all US zip codes. Comparisons with Census 2000 education data may be done. See https://www.census.gov/acs/www/guidance_for_data_users/comparing_2012/ for more information.
7%-12.9%
Since labels for the 2013 classification codes are the same as the 2003 labels, a direct comparison with the 2003 Urban/Rural codes may be made.
CROWFLY
The "great circle" distance in miles between the patient's residence and the hospital that reported the case.
Residential latitude and longitude are based on the patient's zip code centroid or on the city if the zip code was not available. Hospital locations are based on the street address for the facility. The great circle distance is calculated between those two points. In some instances, the residential city is outside of the United States, so the upper bound of distance may be quite large. A distance of 0 can result when the patient lives in the same zip code where the facility is located.
The Haversine (half-versed-sine) formula is used to calculate the distance between the two locations. It was published by R W Sinnott in Sky and Telescope, 1984, though known about for much longer by navigators.
CDCC_TOTAL
Comorbid conditions as described by Charlson/Deyo (1992) are mapped from as many as ten reported ICD-9-CM secondary diagnosis codes reported for cases diagnosed January 1, 2003 and later. The Charlson/Deyo value is a weighted score derived from the sum of the scores for each of the comorbid conditions listed in the Charlson Comorbidity Score Mapping Table. The range for this value is between 0 and 25.
Because of the small proportion of cases with a Charlson Comorbidity score exceeding 2, the data have been truncated to 0, 1, 2 (greater than 1). A score of 0 indicates "no comorbid conditions recorded", or none of the values shown below. Patients with a score of 0 could still have comorbidities if they are conditions that are not included in the mapping table below. Note that the patient's cancer is not directly reflected in the recorded score.
Two examples illustrating how the Charlson Score is summarized for the PUF data: If a patient had a myocardial infarction, diabetes, and renal disease, the cumulative score would be 4, and the value shown in the PUF would be 2. If a patient had severe liver disease, the value in the PUF would also be 2, since the Charlson Score of severe liver disease is 3.
Values reported in the PUF:
Charlson Score of 0 or none of the conditions from the Score Mapping table (below)
Total Charlson score of 1
Total Charlson Score of 2 or more
Charlson Comorbidity Score Mapping Table:
Reported ICD-9 CM Codes
Charlson Score*
410 – 410.9
433.9, 441 – 441.9, 785.4, V43.4
490 – 496, 500 – 505, 506.4
Chronic Pulmonary Disease
710.0, 710.1, 710.4, 714.0 – 714.2, 714.81, 725
Rheumatologic Disease
571.2, 571.5, 571.6, 571.4 – 571.49
Mild Liver Disease
250 – 250.3, 250.7
250.4 – 250.6
Diabetes with Chronic Complications
344.1, 342 – 342.9
Hemiplegia or Paraplegia
582 – 582.9, 583 – 583.7, 585, 586, 588 – 588.9
Renal Disease
Moderate or Severe Liver Disease
*Individual Charlson scores are not provided in the PUF. Instead, the Charlson scores are summed for each patient and categorized by a value of 0, 1, and 2 or more.
SEQUENCE_NUMBER
00 - 88, 99
Indicates the sequence of malignant and non-malignant neoplasms over the lifetime of the patient.
· Codes 00 - 59 and 99 indicate neoplasms of in situ or invasive malignant behavior (Behavior equals 2 or 3). Codes 60 - 88 indicate neoplasms of benign or borderline non-malignant behavior (Behavior equals 0 or 1).
· Code 00 only if the patient has a single malignant primary. If the patient develops a subsequent malignant invasive or in situ primary tumor, change the code for the first tumor from 00 to 01, and number subsequent tumors sequentially.
Code 99 is used in the rare situation for which the sequence of a malignant invasive or in situ tumor is unknown.
· Code 60 only if the patient has a single non-malignant primary. If the patient develops a subsequent non-malignant primary, change the code for the first tumor from 60 to 61, and assign codes to subsequent non-malignant primaries sequentially.
Code 88 is used in the rare situation for which the sequence of a benign or borderline tumor is unknown,
· If two or more malignant invasive or in situ neoplasms are diagnosed at the same time, assign the lowest sequence number to the diagnosis with the worst prognosis. If no difference in prognosis is evident, the decision is arbitrary.
· If two or more non-malignant neoplasms are diagnosed at the same time, assign the lowest sequence number to the diagnosis with the worst prognosis. If no difference in prognosis is evident, the decision is arbitrary.
· Any tumor in the patient's past which is reportable or reportable-by-agreement must be taken into account when sequencing subsequently accessioned tumors.
· Sequence numbers should be reassigned if the facility learns later of an unaccessioned tumor that affects the sequence.
CLASS_OF_CASE
00, 10-14, 20-22, 30-38, 40-43, 49, 99
Classifies cases recorded in the database.
Class of Case has 24 categories. Analytic cases are coded 00-22. Nonanalytic cases are coded 30-99.
Abstracting for analytic cases is to be completed within six months of the date of first contact.
The CoC Accreditation Program does not require hospitals to abstract nonanalytic cases (30-99). Nonanalytic cases are not in the PUF data set, and are not included in the code definitions that follow.
The CoC Accreditation Program does not require Class of Case 00 cases diagnosed in 2006 or later to be staged or followed. They are included in the PUF, but PUF users may want to omit them from some forms of analysis.
Codes for Class of Case were expanded in 2010. For cases diagnosed prior to 2010, conversion of analytic cases was generally to Class of Case 00, 10 and 20; the other codes will not be well populated for earlier cases.
Only analytic Class of Case codes are included in the table below.
Diagnosis at the reporting facility and all treatment or a decision not to treat was done elsewhere.
Initial diagnosis at the reporting facility, and part or all of first course treatment or a decision not to treat was at the reporting facility, NOS.
Initial diagnosis in a staff physician's office and part of first course treatment was done at the reporting facility.
Initial diagnosis in a staff physician's office and all of first course treatment or a decision not to treate was done at the reporting facility.
Initial diagnosis at the reporting facility and part of first course treatment was done at the reporting facility; part of first course treatment was done elsewhere.
Initial diagnosis at the reporting facility and all of first course treatment or a decision not to treat was done at the reporting facility.
Initial diagnosis elsewhere and all or part of first course treatment or a decision not to treat was done at the reporting facility, NOS.
Initial diagnosis elsewhere and part of first course treatment was done at the reporting facility; part of first course treatment was done elsewhere.
Initial diagnosis elsewhere and all of first course treatment or a decision not to treat was done at the reporting facility.
YEAR_OF_DIAGNOSIS
CCYY
Records the year of initial diagnosis by a physician for the tumor being reported.
Use the first date of diagnosis whether clinically or histologically confirmed. If the physician states that in retrospect the patient had cancer at an earlier date, then use the earlier date as the date of diagnosis.
Use the date therapy was started as the date of diagnosis if the patient receives a first course of treatment before a definitive diagnosis.
Refer to the list of "Ambiguous Terms" in Section One of Facility Oncology Registry Data Standards (FORDS) for language that represents a diagnosis of cancer.
Cancer registries record the full date of initial diagnosis, only the year portion of the reported date is provided in the PUF.
Cases with unknown year of diagnosis are not submitted to NCDB.
Four digit year
Year of diagnosis unknown (excluded from the PUF)
PRIMARY_SITE
Identifies the primary site, that is, the anatomic site of origin for the cancer.
Record the ICD-O-3 (International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, Third Edition) topography code for the site of origin.
Consult the physician advisor to identify the primary site or the most definitive site code if the medical record does not contain that information.
Primary site codes may be found in the ICD-O-3 Topography, Numerical List section (ICD-O-3, p. 43) and in the Alphabetic Index (ICD-O-3, p. 105).
Topography codes are indicated by a "C" preceding the three-digit code number (do not record the decimal point).
Follow the coding rules outlined in ICD-O-3, pp. 20-40.
Use subcategory 8 for single tumors that overlap the boundaries of two or more sub-sites and the point of origin is not known.
Use subcategory 9 for multiple tumors that originate in one organ.
Code adenocarcinoma in multiple polyps as a single primary even if they involve more than one segment of the colon.
Code leukemias to bone marrow (C42.1).
Exception: Code myeloid sarcoma to the site of origin (see ICD-O-3 for coding rules).
The ICD-O-3 is not publicly available for electronic download, but the manual can be borrowed from hospital registrars. The codes are similar to ICD-10, but not identical; they may be found in an appendix of some ICD-10 publications (not to be confused with the ICD-10-CM).
Identifies the side of a paired organ or the side of the body on which the reportable tumor originated. This applies to the primary site only.
Code laterality for all paired sites (see Analytic Note).
Code all nonpaired sites 0 (see Analytic Note).
Record laterality for unknown primary site (C80.9) as 0 (not a paired site).
Do not code metastatic sites as bilateral involvement.
Code midline lesions 5 (see Analytic Note).
Beginning with cases diagnosed in 2010, the code 5 is used for midline of paired sites. This code is applicable for very few sites, because it requires that the two lateral portions be contiguous (laterality of the skin of most parts of the body has a midline; laterality of the breast does not). For cases diagnosed prior to 2010, the midline was coded 9. Those cases are rare, but will be coded 9 in pre-2010 PUF cases.
The following are paired sites:
Parotid gland
Sublingual gland
Tonsillar fossa
Tonsillar pillar
Overlapping lesion of tonsil
Tonsil, NOS
Nasal cavity (excluding nasal cartilage and nasal septum)
Maxillary sinus
Frontal sinus
Main bronchus (excluding carina)
Long bones of upper limb and scapula
Short bones of upper limb
Long bones of lower limb
Short bones of lower limb
Rib and clavicle (excluding sterum)
Pelvic bones (excluding sacrum, coccyx, and symphysis pubis)
Skin of eyelid
Skin of external ear
Skin of other and unspecified parts of face
Skin of trunk
Skin of upper limb and shoulder
Skin of lower limb and hip
Peripheral nerves and autonomic nervous system of upper limb and shoulder
Peripheral nerves and autonomic nervous system of lower limb and hip
Connective, cutaneous and other soft tissue of upper limb and shoulder
Connective, cutaneous and other soft tissue of lower limb and hip
Fallopian tube
Epididymis
Spermatic cord
Kidney, NOS
Renal pelvis
Eye and lacrimal gland
Cerebral meninges, NOS (beginning with 2004 diagnoses)
Cerebrum (beginning with 2004 diagnoses)
Frontal lobe (beginning with 2004 diagnoses)
Temporal lobe (beginning with 2004 diagnoses)
Parietal lobe (beginning with 2004 diagnoses)
Occipital lobe (beginning with 2004 diagnoses)
Olfactory lobe (beginning with 2004 diagnoses)
Optic lobe (beginning with 2004 diagnoses)
Acoustic lobe (beginning with 2004 diagnoses)
Cranial nerve, NOS (beginning with 2004 diagnoses)
Carotid body
Organ is not considered to be a paired site.
Origin of primary is right.
Origin of primary is left.
Only one side involved, right or left origin not specified.
Bilateral involvement, side of origin unknown, stated to be a single primary. This includes:
Both ovaries simultaneously involved with a single histology
Bilateral retinoblastomas
Bilateral Wilms tumors
Midline of a paired site tumors
Paired site, but lateral origin unknown; midline tumor.
See ICD-O-3 and the Hematopoeitic and Lymphoid Manual
Records the tumor histology of all cases reported to the NCDB in International Classification of Disease for Oncology, Third Edition (ICD-O-3) terms.
This item is the product of the application of the conversion rules expressed in ICDO2-3_SEER.xls (http://seer.cancer.gov/tools/conversion/index.html) for cases diagnosed prior to 2001, which were originally coded according to ICD-O-2, and the ICD-O-3 codes reported by registries for cases diagnosed in 2001 and subsequently. In addition, beginning with 2010 diagnoses, malignant hematopoietic and lymphoid histology codes not yet printed in the ICD-O-3 were added. For a list of the added codes, consult http://seer.cancer.gov/tools/heme/; the codes are in Appendix D of the Hematopoietic and Lymphoid Manual which can be accessed from the online or downloadable database files on that site. Hematopoietic and lymphatic cancers diagnosed prior to 2010 retain the earlier ICD-O-3 values.
A list of histologies and labels may be found on the online ICD-O-3 site: (http://codes.iarc.fr/home).
Records the behavior of all cases reported to the NCDB. The fifth digit of the morphology code is the behavior code.
This item is the product of the application of the conversion rules expressed in ICDO2-3_SEER.xls (http://seer.cancer.gov/tools/conversion/index.html) for cases diagnosed prior to 2001, which were originally coded according to ICD-O-2, and ICD-O-3 codes reported by facilities for cases diagnosed in 2001 or later.
Note: the xls file was modified from that available from the SEER web site – behavior code 1 associated with juvenile astrocytomas (9421) has been changed to 3 by agreement among North American registry standard setters, making it consistent with ICD-O-2.
Benign tumors or tumors of uncertain behavior (behavior codes 0, 1) are not reported to the NCDB except for the following sites: meninges (C70._), brain (C71._), spinal cord, cranial nerves, and other parts of central nervous system (C72._), pituitary gland (C75.1), craniopharyngeal duct (C75.2) and pineal gland (C75.3). These were not required to be reported until 2004.
Definition and Examples
Uncertain whether benign or malignant.
Borderline malignancy.
Low malignant potential.
Uncertain malignant potential.
In situ and/or carcinoma in situ
Adenocarcinoma in an adenomatous polyp with no invasion of stalk.
Clark level 1 for melanoma (limited to epithelium).
Comedocarcinoma, noninfiltrating (C50.B).
Synonymous with
Confined to epithelium.
Hutchinson melanotic freckle, NOS (C44.B).
Intracystic, noninfiltrating.
Intraductal.
Intraepidermal, NOS.
Intraepithelial, NOS.
Involvement up to, but not including the basement membrane.
Lentigo maligna (C44.B).
Lobular neoplasia (C50.B).
Lobular, noninfiltrating (C50.B).
Noninfiltrating.
Noninvasive.
No stromal involvement.
Papillary, noninfiltrating or intraductal.
Precancerous melanosis (C44.B).
Queyrat erythroplasia (C60.B).
Invasive or microinvasive.
Describes the tumor's resemblance to normal tissue. Well differentiated (Grade I) is the most like normal tissue, and undifferentiated (Grade IV) is the least like normal tissue.
Code grade according to ICD-O-3 (pp. 30-31 and 67).
Code the grade or differentiation as stated in the final pathologic diagnosis. If the differentiation is not stated in the final pathologic diagnosis, use the information from the microscopic description or comments.
When the pathology report(s) lists more than one grade of tumor, code to the highest grade, even if the highest grade is only a focus (Rule G, ICD-O-3, p. 21).
Code the grade or differentiation from the pathologic examination of the primary tumor, not from metastatic sites.
When there is no tissue diagnosis, it may be possible to establish grade through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or positron emission tomography (PET). When available, code grade based on the recorded findings from these imaging reports.
If the primary site is unknown, code the grade/differentiation as 9 (Unknown).
Code the grade for in situ lesions if the information is available. If the lesion is both invasive and in situ, code only the invasive portion. If the invasive component grade is unknown, then code 9.
Do not use "high grade", "low grade", or "intermediate grade" descriptions for lymphomas as a basis for differentiation. These terms are categories in the Working Formulation of Lymphoma Diagnoses and do not relate to grade/differentiation.
Codes 5-8 define T-cell or B-cell origin for leukemias and lymphomas. T-cell, B-cell, or null cell classifications have precedence over grading or differentiation.
Do not use the WHO grade to code this data item.
If no grade is given for astrocytomas, then code 9 (Unknown).
If no grade is given for glioblastoma multiforme, then code 9 (Unknown).
Although ICD-O-2 and ICD-O-3 Grade/Differentiation are collected as separate items, the only difference between the two editions is that code 8 (NK cells) was added after ICD-O-2 was initially published. They are combined in the PUF, as an output to the ICD-O-2 to ICD-O-3 conversion used for histology and behavior.
Grade/Cell
Grade I,1,i
Well differentiated; differentiated, NOS
Grade II,2,ii
I/III or 1/3
Moderately differentiated; moderately well differentiated; intermediate differentiation
Grade III,3,iii
II/III or 2/3
Poorly differentiated
Grade IV,4,iv
III/III or 3/3
Undifferentiated; anaplastic
For Lymphomas and Leukemias
T cell; T-precursor
B cell; pre-B; B-precursor
Null cell; non T-non B
NK (natural killer) cell (effective with diagnosis 1/1/95 and after)
For Use in All Histologies
Cell type not determined, not stated or not applicable; unknown primaries; high grade dysplasia (adenocarcinoma in situ)
DIAGNOSTIC_CONFIRMATION
1, 2, 4 - 9
Records the most definitive method of diagnostic confirmation of the cancer being reported at any time in the patient's history.
For solid tumors only (histologies other than 9590-9992), this is a hierarchical schema to identify how the malignancy was determined - from histologic confirmation (1) being most precise to unknown (9) being the least. Lower numbered codes take precedence over higher numbered codes. The code must be changed to a lower code if a more definitive method confirms the diagnosis at any time during the course of the disease. Code 3 in the table below does NOT apply to solid tumors.
Separate rules were established for non-solid tumors (histology codes 9590-9992) in 2010. Prior to that, registrars were instructed to use Code 1 for positive hematologic findings and bone marrow specimens for leukemia, including peripheral blood smears and aspiration biopsies. Otherwise, to use Code 2 for positive brushings, washings, cell aspiration, and hematologic findings (except for leukemia).
For non-solid tumors (histology codes 9590-9992) beginning in 2010, the table below is NOT hierachical, and the rules for assignment are specific to non-solid tumors.
Coding Instructions for All Tumors
Assign Code 1 when the microscopic diagnosis is based on tissue specimens from biopsy, frozen section, surgery, autopsy, D&C or from aspiration or biopsy of bone marrow specimens.
Assign Code 2 when the microscopic diagnosis is based on cytologic examination of cells such as sputum smears, bronchial brushings, bronchial washings, prostatic secretions, breast secretions, gastric fluid, spinal fluid, pleural fluid, urinary sediment, cervical or vaginal smears, or from paraffin block speciments from concentrated spinal, pleural or peritoneal fluid. These methods are rarely used for hematopoietic or lymphoid tumors.
Assign Code 5 when the diagnosis of cancer is based on laboratory tests or marker studies which are clinically diagnostic for that cancer.
Assign Code 6 when the diagnosis is based only on the surgeon's operative report or from a surgical exploration or endoscopy or from gross autopsy findings in the absence of tissue or cytologic findings.
Additional Coding Instructions for Hematopoietic or Lymphoid Tumors (Histologies 9590-9992)
There is no priority hierachy for coding Diagnostic Confirmation for hematopoietic and lymphoid tumors. Most commonly, the specific histologic type is diagnosed by immunophenotypoing or genetic testing. See the Hematopoietic Database (DB) for information on the definitive diagnostic confirmation for specific tumors.
For leukemia only, assign Code 1 when the diagnosis is based only on the complete blood count (CBC), white blood count (WBC) or peripheral blood smear. Do not use Code 1 if the diagnosis was based on immunophenotyping or genetic testing using tissue, bone marrow, or blood.
Assign Code 3 when there is a histologic positive for cancer AND positive immuniphenotyping and/or postiive genetic testing results. Do not use Code 3 for neoplasms diagnosed prior to January 1, 2010.
Assign Code 8 when the case was diagnosed by any clinical method that can not be coded as 6 or 7. A number of hematopoietic and lymphoid neoplasms are dignosed by tests of exclusion where the tests for the disease are equivocal and the physician makes a clinical diagnosis based on the information from the equivocal tests and the patient's clinical presentation.
Assign Code 6 when the diagnosis is based only on the surgeon's operative report from a surgical exploration or endocscopy or from gross autopsy findings in the absence of tissue or cytologic findings.
Assign Code 1 when microscopic diagnosis is based on tissue specimens from biopsy, frozen section, surgery, autopsy or D&C or from aspiration of biopsy bone marrow specimens.
Assign Code 2 when microscopic diagnosis is based on cytologic examination of cells such as sputum smears, bronchial brushings, bronchial washings, prostatic secretions, breast secretions, gastric fluid, peritoneal fluid, urinary sediment, or peritoneal fluid. These methods are rarely used for hematopoietic or lymphoid cancers.
Assign Code 5 when the diagnosis of cancer is based on laboratory tests or marker studies which are clinically diagnostic for that specific cancer.
In 2010, cancer registries in North America adopted new rules for coding hematopoietic and lymphoid tumors. At that time, this item was modified for cases diagnosed in 2010 or later to better reflect the ways these tumors are diagnosed. Code 3 was defined and implemented at that time, and the rules for coding were refined. The instructions and table presented here represent a combination of the new instructions and the older instructions that still apply to solid tumors.
Positive histology
Histologic confirmation (tissue microscopically examined).
Positive cytology
Cytologic confirmation (no tissue microscopically examined; fluid cells microscopically examined).
Postive histology PLUS positive immunophenotyping and/or positive genetic studies
Histology is positive for cancer, and there are also positive immunophenotyping and/or genetic test results. Use this code only for histology range 9590-9992 where the year of diagnosis is 2010 or later.
Positive microscopic confirmation, method not specified
Microscopic confirmation is all that is known. It is unknown if the cells were from histology or cytology.
Positive laboratory test/marker study
A clinical diagnosis of cancer is based on laboratory tests/marker studies which are clinically diagnostic for cancer. This includes alpha-fetoprotein for liver cancer and abnormal electrophoretic spike for multiple myeloma. Elevated PSA is nondiagnostic of cancer. If the physician uses the PSA as a basis for diagnosing prostate cancer with no other workup, record as code 5. (Adapted from SEER.)
Direct visualization without microscopic confirmation
The tumor was visualized during a surgical/endoscopic procedure only with no tissue resected for microscopic examination.
Radiography and other imaging techniques without microscopic confirmation
The malignancy was reported by the physician from an imaging technique report only.
Clinical diagnosis only (other than 5, 6, or 7)
The malignancy was reported by the physician in the medical record.
Unknown whether or not microscopically confirmed
A statement of malignancy was reported in the medical record, but there is no statement of how the cancer was diagnosed (usually Class of Case 3).
REGIONAL_NODES_POSITIVE
Records the exact number of regional lymph nodes examined by the pathologist and found to contain metastases.
Only record information about regional lymph nodes in this item.
This item is based on pathology information only. If no lymph nodes were removed for examination, or if a lymph node drainage area was removed, but no lymph nodes were found, code 98.
Record the total number of regional lymph nodes removed and found to be positive by pathologic examination.
The number of regional lymph nodes positive is cumulative from all procedures that removed lymph nodes through the completion of surgeries in the first course of treatment.
This item is to be recorded regardless of whether the patient received preoperative treatment.
Any combination of positive aspirated, biopsied, sampled or dissected lymph nodes is coded 97 if the number of involved nodes cannot be determined on the basis of cytology or histology.
Code 99 for the following sites and histologies:
Brain and Cerebral Meninges (C70.0, C71.0-C71.9)
Other Parts of Central Nervous System (C70.1, C70.9, C72.0-C72.5, C72.8-C72.9)
Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (M-959-972 EXCEPT 9700/3 and 9701/3)
Hematopoietic, Reticuloendothelial, Immunoproliferative and Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (M-9731-9734, 9740-9742, 9750-9758, 9760-9762, 9764-9769, 9800-9801, 9805, 9820, 9823, 9826-9827, 9831-9837, 9840, 9860-9861, 9863, 9866-9867, 9870-9876, 9891, 9895-9897, 9910, 9920, 9930-9931, 9940, 9945-9946, 9948, 9950, 9960-9964, 9970, 9975, 9980, 9982-9987, 9989)
Unknown and Ill-Defined Primary Sites (C42.0-C42.4, C76.0-C76.5, C76.7-C76.8, C77.0-C77.5, C77.8-C77.9, C80.9; Note: For C42.x and C77.x other than hematopoietic, reticuloendothelial, immunoproliferative and myeloproliferative neoplasms as listed above, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin Lymphomas as listed above, and Kaposi sarcoma 9140/3)
This item became part of the Collaborative Stage Data Collection System when CS was implemented in 2004. The PUF item reflects data submitted at any time, regardless of the applicable manual.
All nodes examined are negative.
1-89 nodes are positive. (Code exact number of nodes positive)
90 or more nodes are positive.
Positive aspiration of lymph node(s) was performed.
Positive nodes are documented, but the number is unspecified.
No nodes were examined.
It is unknown whether nodes are positive; not applicable; not stated in patient record.
REGIONAL_NODES_EXAMINED
00 - 90, 95 - 99
Records the total number of regional lymph nodes that were removed and examined by the pathologist.
Only record information about regional lymph nodes in this data item.
This data item is based on pathology information only. If no lymph nodes were removed for examination, or if a lymph node drainage area was removed, but no lymph nodes were found, code 00.
Record the total number of regional lymph nodes removed and examined by the pathologist.
The number of regional lymph nodes examined is cumulative from all procedures that removed lymph nodes through the completion of surgeries during the first course of treatment.
Code 98 if lymph nodes are aspirated and other lymph nodes are removed.
This data item is to be recorded regardless of whether the patient received preoperative treatment.
If a lymph node biopsy was performed, code the number of nodes removed, if known. If the number of nodes removed by biopsy is not known, code 96.
Code 99 for the following primary sites and histologies:
Placenta (C58.9)
Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (M-959-972) EXCEPT 9700/3 and 9701/3)
Hematopoietic, Reticuloendothelial, Immunoproliferative and Myeloproliferative Neoplasms
(M-9731-9734, 9740-9742, 9750-9758, 9760-9762, 9764-9769, 9800-9801, 9805, 9820, 9823, 9826-827, 9831-9837, 9840, 9860-9861, 9863, 9866-9867, 9870-9876, 9891, 9895-9897, 9910, 9920, 9930-9931, 9940, 9945-9946, 9948, 9950, 9960-9964, 9970, 9975, 9980, 9982-9987, 9989)
Unknown and Ill-Defined Primary Sites
(C42.0-C42.4, C76.0-C76.5, C76.7-C76.8, C77.0-C77.5, C77.8-C77.9, C80.9; Note: For C42.x and C77.x, other than hematopoietic, reticuloendothelial, immunoproliferative and myeloproliferative neoplasms as listed above, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin Lymphomas as listed above, and Kaposi sarcoma 9140/3)
1-89 nodes were examined.
(Code the exact number of regional lymph nodes examined.)
90 or more nodes were examined.
No regional nodes were removed, but aspiration of regional nodes was performed.
Regional lymph node removal was documented as a sampling, and the number of nodes is unknown/not stated.
Regional lymph node removal was documented as a dissection, and the number of nodes is unknown/not stated.
Regional lymph nodes surgically removed but number not documented, not documented as sampling or dissection.
Unknown if regional nodes examined. not applicable for this site-histology combination.
DX_STAGING_PROC_DAYS
0 – 9999
The number of days between the date of diagnosis (NAACCR Item #390) and the date the surgical diagnostic and/or staging procedure was performed (NAACCR Item #1280). This item is only available for diagnosis years 2003 and later.
Number of elapsed days
No surgical diagnostic and staging procedure, procedure unknown, elapsed days cannot be computed, or not available for these diagnosis years
RX_SUMM_DXSTG_PROC
Records the type of surgical diagnostic and/or staging procedure performed.
·Code the type of procedure performed as part of the initial diagnosis and workup, whether this is done at the reporting institution or another facility.
·Code 02 is used if both an incisional biopsy of the primary site and an incisional biopsy of a metastatic site are done.
·Surgical procedures which aspirate, biopsy, or remove regional lymph nodes in an effort to diagnose and/or stage disease are not coded in this item. The item Scope of Regional Lymph Node Surgery (NAACCR Item #1292) is used to code these procedures.
·Brushings, washings, cell aspiration, and hematologic findings (peripheral blood smears) as positive cytologic diagnostic confirmation are coded in the data item Diagnostic Confirmation (NAACCR Item #490). These are not considered surgical procedures and are not be coded in this item.
·Excisional biopsies with clear or microscopic margins are not coded in this data item. Item Surgical Procedure of Primary Site (NAACCR Item #1290) is used to code these procedures.
·Palliative surgical procedures are not coded in this data item. The item Palliative Procedure (NAACCR Item #3270) is used to code these procedures.
This item was added to FORDS in 2003, and is blank for earlier diagnoses in the PUF data.
No surgical diagnostic or staging procedure was performed.
A biopsy (incisional, needle, or aspiration) was done to a site other than the primary. No exploratory procedure was done.
A biopsy (incisional, needle, or aspiration) was done to the primary site.
A surgical exploration only. The patient was not biopsied or treated.
A surgical procedure with a bypass was performed, but no biopsy was done.
An exploratory procedure was performed, and a biopsy of either the primary site or another site was done.
A bypass procedure was performed, and a biopsy of either the primary site or another site was done.
A procedure was done, but the type of procedure is unknown.
No information of whether a diagnostic or staging procedure was performed.
TNM_CLIN_T
Alphanumeric, Uppercase
Identifies the clinically-determined size and/or extension of the primary tumor (cT) as defined by the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC).
· Refer to the applicable AJCC Cancer Staging Manual for coding rules.
For cases diagnosed on or prior to December 31, 2003, this item was expected to be completed by an attending physician, though registry staff were frequently involved in the determination of the information coded in this item though the review of full range of clinical and patient notes available to registry staff. For cases diagnosed January 1, 2004, through December 31, 2007, the CoC required registries to copy the staging elements from a standardized document found in the patient record, as recorded by the managing physician. PUF users may notice an increase in the proportion of cases with cT reported as X as a consequence of the CoC restriction on the allowable range of registry coding of information beyond that documented by the managing physician.
The rules changed again with cases diagnosed in 2008. Beginning with 2008 diagnoses, registrars were required to record clinical stage. If it was not available from a physician, it was to be coded from information available in the patient record.
Cases are coded using the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual edition in use during the year in which the case was diagnosed. Consult the appropriate edition of this manual for organ or site specific codes and their definitions. See AJCC TNM Edition Number (NAACCR Item #1060). Prior to implementation of the 5th edition of the manual, some "slippage" in version occurred, and edition numbers are not included in the PUF for those older cases.
Codes on this list comprise all codes valid for any AJCC manual through the 7th edition and for any chapter. Please consult the applicable manual and chapter for codes that are valid for specific site, histology and AJCC edition combinations.
There is no standard mechanism to recode AJCC items from one edition to another. Careful review of the individual definitions in the respective AJCC manuals is necessary before combining or comparing data across two or more AJCC editions.
Not available in patient record
cT2a
cT2a1
cT2b
cT2c
ISPU
cTispu
cT2d
ISPD
cTispd
cT1mic
cT1b1
TNM_CLIN_N
Identifies the clinically-determined absence or presence of regional lymph node (cN) metastasis and describes the extent of the regional lymph node metastasis as defined by the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC).
For cases diagnosed on or prior to December 31, 2003, this item was expected to be completed by an attending physician, though registry staff were frequently involved in the determination of the information coded in this item though the review of full range of clinical and patient notes available to registry staff. For cases diagnosed January 1, 2004, through December 31, 2007, the CoC required registries to copy the staging elements from a standardized document found in the patient record, as recorded by the managing physician. PUF users may notice an increase in the proportion of cases with cN reported as X as a consequence of the CoC restriction on the allowable range of registry coding of information beyond that documented by the managing physician.
The rules changed again with cases diagnosed in 2008. Beginning with 2008 diagnoses, registrars were required to record clinical stage. If it was not available from a physician, it was to be coded from information available in the medical record.
Not available in patient record.
cNX
0I-
cN0i-
0I+
cN0i+
0M-
cN0m-
cN0m+
cN1mi
cN0a
cN0b
cN1c
TNM_CLIN_M
Identifies the clinically-determined absence or presence of distant metastasis (cM) as defined by the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC).
· Refer to the applicable AJCC Cancer Staging Manual for coding rules in force for the particular edition.
For cases diagnosed on or prior to December 31, 2003, this item was expected to be completed by an attending physician, though registry staff were frequently involved in the determination of the information coded in this item though the review of full range of clinical and patient notes available to registry staff. For cases diagnosed January 1, 2004, through December 31, 2007, the CoC required registries to copy the staging elements from a standardized document found in the patient record, as recorded by the managing physician. PUF users may notice an increase in the proportion of cases with cM reported as X as a consequence of the CoC restriction on the allowable range of registry coding of information beyond that documented by the managing physician.
cM0(i+)
cM1c
cM1d
Not applicable (not defined)
TNM_CLIN_STAGE_GROUP
Identifies the applicable stage group based on the T, N, and M elements as defined by the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC).
· Refer to the current AJCC Cancer Staging Manual for coding rules.
For cases diagnosed on or prior to December 31, 2003, this item was expected to be completed by an attending physician, though registry staff were frequently involved in the determination of the information coded in this item through the review of the full range of clinical and patient notes available to registry staff. For cases diagnosed January 1, 2004, through December 31, 2007, the CoC required registries to copy the staging items from a standardized document found in the patient record, as recorded by the managing physician. PUF users may notice an increase in the proportion of 99s as a consequence of the CoC restriction on the allowable range of registry coding of information beyond that documented by the managing physician.
cStage 0
cStage IIC
cStage 0A
cStage III
cStage 0is
cStage IIIA
cStage I
cStage IIIB
cStage IA
cStage IIIC
cStage IA1
cStage IIIC1
cStage IB
cStage IV
cStage IB1
cStage IVA
cStage IVA1
cStage IC
cStage IS
cStage 4B
cStage II
cStage IVC
cStage IIA
cStage IIA1
cStage IIB
TNM_PATH_T
Identifies the pathologically-determined tumor size and/or extension (pT) as defined by the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC).
For cases diagnosed on or prior to December 31, 2003, this item was expected to be completed by an attending physician, though registry staff were frequently involved in the determination of the information coded in this item through the review of clinical and patient notes available to registry staff. For cases diagnosed January 1, 2004, through December 31, 2007, the CoC required registries to copy the staging elements from a standardized document found in the patient record, as recorded by the managing physician.
Beginning with 2008 diagnoses, the rules changed again. Physicians were no longer required to stage, but cancer committees in CoC programs were required to devise plans to ascertain that staging was used appropriately to make treatment decisions. Registries were encouraged to record physician staging when it was available, but were not required to do so. The CoC determined that the stage groups derived from the Collaborative Stage Data Collection System met the criteria expected of pathologic staging, in providing an AJCC "final stage". PUF users are likely to see a decrease in the completeness of pathologic staging recorded in the "AJCC" staging items in the years following 2008.
Not available in patient record. Not collected (2008+).
pT2a
pT2a1
pT2b
pTis
pT2c
pTispu
pT2d
pTispd
pT1mic
pT1b1
TNM_PATH_N
Identifies the pathologically-determined absence or presence or extent of regional lymph node (pN) metastasis as defined by the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC).
For cases diagnosed on or prior to December 31, 2003, this item was expected to be completed by an attending physician, though registry staff were frequently involved in the determination of the information coded in this item though the review of full range of clinical and patient notes available to registry staff. For cases diagnosed January 1, 2004, through December 31, 2007, the CoC required registries to copy the staging elements from a standardized document found in the patient record, as recorded by the managing physician.
Beginning with 2008 diagnoses, the rules changed again. Physicians were no longer required to stage, but cancer committees in CoC programs were required to devise plans to ascertain that staging was used appropriately to make treatment decisions. Registries were encouraged to record physician staging when it was available, but were not required to do so. The CoC determined tha the stage groups derived from the Collaborative Stage Data Collection System met the criteria expected of pathologic staging, in providing a AJCC "final stage". PUF users are likely to see a decrease in the completeness of pathologic staging recorded in the "AJCC" staging items in the years following 2008.
Cases are coded using the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual edition in use during the year in which the case was diagnosed. Consult the appropriate edition of this manual for organ or site specific codes and their definitions. See AJCC TNM Edition Number (NAACCR Item #1060). Prior to implementation of the 5th edition of the manual, some "slippage" in version was allowed, such that some codes for cases diagnosed the year prior to implementation of a given edition and the year following its replacement may also have codes from the edition.
pNX
pN0i-
pN0i+
pN0m-
pN0m+
pN1mi
pN0a
pN0b
pN1c
TNM_PATH_M
Identifies the pathologically-determined absence or presence of distant metastasis (pM) as defined by the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC).
Not available in patient record. No positive pM. Not collected (2008+).
pM0(i+)
pM1b
pM1c
pM1d
TNM_PATH_STAGE_GROUP
Identifies the pathologically-determiend anatomic extent of disease based on the T, N, and M elements as defined by the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC).
For cases diagnosed prior to December 31, 2003, this item was expected to be completed by an attending physician, though registry staff were frequently involved in the determination of the information coded in this item through the review of clinical and patient notes available to registry staff. For cases diagnosed January 1, 2004, through December 31, 2007, the CoC required registries to copy the staging elements from a standardized document, as recorded by the managing physician.
Beginning with 2008 diagnoses, the rules changed again. Physicians were no longer required to stage, but cancer committees in CoC cancer programs were required to devise plans to ascertain that staging was used appropriately to make treatment decisions. Registries were encouraged to record physician staging when it was available, but were not required to do so. The CoC determined that the stage groups derived from the Collaborative Stage Data Collection System met the criteria expected of pathologic staging, in providing an AJCC "final stage". PUF users are likely to see a decrease in the completeness of pathologic staging in the "AJCC' staging items in the years following 2008.
pStage 0
pStage IIC
pStage 0A
pStage III
pStage 0is
pStage IIIA
pStage I
pStage IIIB
pStage IA
pStage IIIC
pStage IA1
pStage IIIC1
pStage IB
pStage IV
pStage IB1
pStage IVA
pStage IVA1
pStage IC
pStage IS
pStage 4B
pStage II
pStage IVC
pStage IIA
pStage IIA1
pStage IIB
No pathologic staging for this case (2008+ only)
TNM_EDITION_NUMBER
00-07, 88, 99
Identifies the edition number of the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual used to stage the case.
None; this item may be auto-coded by cancer registry software.
AJCC staging is coded according to the version of the AJCC Staging Manual in use at the time the case was diagnosed. Prior to implementation of the 5th edition of the manual, some "slippage" in version occurred, and edition numbers are not included in the PUF for those older cases.
Not staged (cases that have AJCC staging scheme and staging was not done).
Not applicable (cases that do not have an AJCC staging scheme).
Staged, but the edition is unknown. Prior to the 5th edition.
CS_EXTENSION
Identifies contiguous growth (extension) of the primary tumor within the organ or origin or its direct extension into neighboring organs. For some sites such as ovary, discontinuous metastasis is coded in CS Extension.
CS Extension is part of the Collaborative Stage Data Collection System (CS), and was implemented in 2004. It is used to derive some AJCC T-values and some SEER Summary Stage codes.
Some detective work is required to interpret codes in the CS Extension field. The codes differ by type of cancer and by the version of CS in which the case was coded. In the PUF, CS fields are retained in the form in which they were submitted. That means that it will be necessary to identify the CS Version Numbers that are used in the PUF file, and use those to identify whether the contents of the CS Extension field may have changed over time. Links to the site-specific codes can be found at http://ncdbpuf.facs.org/?q=node/370.
CS_TUMOR_SIZEEXT_EVAL
Records how the codes for the two items, CS Tumor Size and CS Extension were determined, based on the diagnostic methods employed.
CS Tumor Size/Ext Eval is part of the Collaborative Stage Data Collection System (CS), and was implemented in 2004. It is used to describe whether the staging basis for the AJCC T value is clinical or pathologic and to record whether systemic treatment was performed prior to assignment of either CS Tumor Size or CS Extension codes.
Some detective work is required to interpret codes in the CS Tumor Size/Ext field. The codes differ by type of cancer and occasionally by the version of CS in which the case was coded. In the PUF, CS fields are retained in the form in which they were submitted. That means that it will be necessary to identify the CS Version Numbers that are used in the PUF file, and to use those to identify whether the contents of the CS Tumor Size/Ext Eval fields may have changed over time. Links to the site-specific codes can be found at
http://ncdbpuf.facs.org/?q=node/370.
CS_METS_AT_DX
Identifies whether there is metastatic involvement of distant site(s) at the time of diagnosis.
CS Mets at Dx is part of the Collaborative Stage Data Collection System (CS), and was first introduced in 2004. It is used to derive some AJCC M values and SEER Summary Stage codes.
Some detective work is required to interpret codes in the CS Mets at Dx field. The codes differ by type of cancer and by the version of CS in which the case was coded. In the PUF, CS fields are retained in the form in which they were submitted. That means that it will be necessary to identify the CS Version Numbers that are used in the PUF file, and use those to identify whether the contents of the CS Mets at Dx filed may have change dover time. Links to the site-specific codes can be found at http://ncdbpuf.facs.org/?q=node/370.
TUMOR_SIZE
Describes the largest dimension of the diameter of the primary tumor in millimeters (mm).
Refer to the site and histology-specific instructions in the current CS manual for coding instructions. CoC does not require that registrars report information for this item that is not readily available in the facility's records. However, if that information is obtained along with other material from another source, it may be used.
This field is blank in the melanoma PUF. Use CS Site Specific Factor #1 to obtain Breslow's depth. CS Tumor Size is part of the Collaborative Stage Data Collection System (CS), and was implemented in 2004. It is used to describe tumor size at diagnosis as an independent prognostic indicator for many tumors and it is used by Collaborative Stage to derive some TNM-T codes. Links to the site-specific codes can be found at http://ncdbpuf.facs.org/?q=node/370.
DX_RX_STARTED_DAYS
The number of days between the date of diagnosis (NAACCR Item #390) and the date on which treatment [surgery, radiation, systemic, or other therapy] (NAACCR Item #1270) of the patient began at any facility.
Number of elapsed days.
No first course therapy administered, first course therapy unknown, or cannot compute days elapsed due to missing or incomplete dates
DX_SURG_STARTED_DAYS
The number of days between the date of diagnosis (NAACCR Item #390) and the date the first treatment surgery was performed (NAACCR Item #1200). The surgery may be primary site surgery (NAACCR Item #1290), regional lymph node surgery (NAACCR Item #1292) or other regional or distant surgery (NAACCR Item #1294). Incisional biopsies are not coded as treatment surgery.
CoC cancer programs are required to identify treatment their patients received from all sources. Surgical treatment may have occurred at any facility, or at multiple facilities, not limited to the one whose report is included in this file. This refers to the first surgical procedure for the cancer by any facility.
No first course surgery, first course surgery unknown, or cannot compute days elapsed due to missing or incomplete dates
DX_DEFSURG_STARTED_DAYS
The number of days between the date of diagnosis (NAACCR Item #390) and the date on which the most definitive surgical procedure was performed on the primary site (NAACCR Item #3170).
The Date of the Most Definitive Surgical Procedure of the Primary Site was added to FORDS in 2003, so this item is not defined prior to that year. It refers to the last date that first course surgery of the primary site was performed for the patient. For example, a breast cancer patient may have been treated with an excisional biopsy, followed by a lumpectomy, followed by a mastectomy. This item identifies the time period between the Date of Initial Diagnosis and the date of the mastectomy. The Surgical Procedure of the Primary Site will record the mastectomy.
CoC cancer programs are required to identify treatment their patients received from all sources. Surgical treatment may have occurred at any facility, or at multiple facilities, not limited to the one whose report is included in this file. This refers to the final surgery of the primary site, cumulative for all procedures, for the cancer by any facility.
No first course surgery, surgery unknown, or cannot compute days elapsed due to incomplete or missing dates
RX_SUMM_SURG_PRIM_SITE
00, 10-80, 90, 98, 99
Records the surgical procedure performed to the primary site at any facility.
· Site-specific codes for this data item are found in Surgery of the Primary Site Codes.
· If registry software allows only one procedure to be collected, document the most invasive surgical procedure for the primary site.
· If registry software allows multiple procedures to be recorded, this item refers to the most invasive surgical procedure of the primary site.
· For codes 00 through 79, the response positions are hierarchical by position (not necessarily numerically). Last-listed responses take precedence over responses written above. Code 98 takes precedence over code 00. Use codes 80 and 90 only if more precise information about the surgery is not available.
· Biopsies that remove all of the tumor and/or leave only microscopic margins are to be coded in this item.
· Surgery to remove regional tissue or organs is coded in this item only if the tissue/organs are removed in continuity with the primary site, except where noted in the site-specific Surgery of the Primary Site Codes.
· If a previous surgical procedure to remove a portion of the primary site is followed by surgery to remove the remainder of the primary site, then code the total or final results.
· If the procedure coded in this item was provided to prolong a patient's life by controlling symptoms, to alleviate pain, or to make the patient more comfortable, then also record this surgery in the item Palliative Care (NAACCR Item #3270).
If multiple first course surgeries are performed on the primary site, the code represents the cumulative effect of all primary site surgeries. For example, if a breast cancer patient is treated with an excisional biopsy, then a lumpectomy, then a mastectomy, the mastectomy is coded in this field. The date of the mastectomy is represented in DX_DEFSURG_STARTED_DAYS.
Descriptions of surgical codes have been revised over time. Please refer to the versions of FORDS corresponding to the diagnosis years covered in your analyses to find out whether any changes have occurred in your primary site(s) of interest in your study. All versions of FORDS may be accessed via the following link: https://www.facs.org/quality-programs/cancer/ncdb/registrymanuals/cocman....
The site-specific surgical codes may be found in the Surgery of the Primary Site Codes data dictionary entry.
No surgical procedure of primary site. Diagnosed at autopsy.
Site-specific codes; tumor destruction
Tumor destruction, no pathologic specimen produced. Refer to Surgery of the Primary Site Codes for the correct site-specific code for the procedure.
Site-specific codes; resection
Refer to Surgery of the Primary Site Codes for the correct site-specific code for the procedure.
Surgery, NOS
A surgical procedure to the primary site was done, but no information on the type of surgical procedure is provided.
Site-specific codes; special
Special code. Refer to Surgery of the Primary Site Codes for the correct site-specific code for the procedure.
Patient record does not state whether a surgical procedure of the primary site was performed and no information is available. Death certificate only.
RX_SUMM_SURGICAL_MARGINS
Records the final status of the surgical margins after resection of the primary tumor.
·Record the margin status as it appears in the pathology report.
·Codes 0-3 are hierarchical; if two codes describe the margin status, use the numerically higher code.
·If no surgery of the primary site was performed, code 8.
·For lymphomas with a lymph node primary site (C77.0-C77.9), code 9.
·For an unknown or ill-defined primary (C76.0-C76.8, C80.9) or for hematopoietic, reticuloendothelial, immunoproliferative, or myeloproliferative disease, code 9.
·For Brain and CNS sites, the NCDB converts codes 0, 1, 2, 3, and 7 to code 9 for this item due to unreliability.
No residual tumor
All margins are grossly and microscopically negative.
Residual tumor, NOS
Involvement is indicated, but not otherwise specified.
Microscopic residual tumor
Cannot be seen by the naked eye.
Macroscopic residual tumor
Gross tumor of the primary site which is visible to the naked eye.
Margins not evaluable
Cannot be assessed (indeterminate).
No primary site surgery
No surgical procedure of the primary site. Diagnosed at autopsy.
Unknown or not applicable
It is unknown whether a surgical procedure to the primary site was performed; death certificate-only; for lymphomas with a lymph node primary site; an unknown or ill-defined primary; or for hematopoietic, reticuloendothelial, immunoproliferative, or myeloproliferative disease.
RX_SUMM_SCOPE_REG_LN_2012
0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9
Beginning in 2016, the Participant Use File (PUF) will include the revised scope of the regional lymph node surgery field for cases diagnosed on and after January 1, 2012. Scope of Regional Lymph Node Surgery was found to under-report Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNBx) procedures, either alone or with Axillary Dissection (ALND). Reviews by the Commission on Cancer (CoC), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Program of Cancer Registries (CDC/NPCR), and the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program confirmed mis-coding of this data element. Revised coding rules and associated instructions have been developed that put emphasis on securing information from the operative report in contrast to the pathology report. These revised coding instructions were implemented for cases diagnosed January 1, 2012 and later. CoC use of the item "Scope of Regional Lymph Node Surgery" (http://ncdbpuf.facs.org/content/scope-regional-lymph-node-surgery) remains curtailed in all pre-2012 data years contained in the PUF. The item is used only to identify whether or not a patient underwent regional lymph node surgery, effectively removing any distinction between the type or extent of surgical intervention.
For the definition and labels for this new item, please review the item via the PDF attached to this data dictionary entry or visit the FORDS Manual (NAACCR Item #1292): https://www.facs.org/quality-programs/cancer/ncdb/registrymanuals/cocmanuals/fordsmanual. Note that this item is primarily of interest for researchers who received Breast and Melanoma PUF files.
For further explanation of why this item has recently become available starting in 2012, please visit the following page: https://www.facs.org/~/media/files/quality%20programs/cancer/ncdb/scope%....
RX_SUMM_SURG_OTH_REGDIS
Records the surgical removal of distant lymph nodes or other tissue(s)/organ(s) beyond the primary site.
·Assign the highest numbered code that describes the surgical resection of distant lymph node(s) and/or regional/distant tissue or organs.
·Incidental removal of tissue or organs is not recorded as a Surgical Procedure/Other Site.
·Code 1 if any surgery is performed to treat tumors of unknown or ill-defined primary sites (C76.0-C76.8, C80.9) or for hematopoietic, reticuloendothelial, immunoproliferative, or myeloproliferative disease (C42.0, C42.1, C42.3, C42.4 or any site with hematopoietic histologies).
·If the procedure coded in this item was provided to prolong a patient's life by controlling symptoms, to alleviate pain, or to make the patient more comfortable, then also record this surgery in the item Palliative Care (NAACCR Item #3270).
This item was reported as a site-specific item using the ROADS manual for diagnosis years 1998 - 2002. It has been converted to FORDS form by NCDB. For cases diagnosed on or after January 1, 2003, the surgery of other regional or distant sites, or distant lymph nodes was reported using the FORDS manual; it is no longer specific to the organ of origin.
No nonprimary surgical site resection was performed. Diagnosed at autopsy.
Nonprimary surgical procedure performed
Nonprimary surgical resection to other site(s), unknown if whether the site(s) is regional or distant.
Nonprimary surgical procedure to other regional sites
Resection of regional site.
Nonprimary surgical procedure to distant lymph node(s)
Resection of distant lymph node(s).
Nonprimary surgical procedure to distant site
Resection of distant site.
Combination of codes
Any combination of surgical procedures 2, 3, or 4.
It is unknown whether any surgical procedure of a nonprimary site was performed. Death certificate only.
SURG_DISCHARGE_DAYS
The number of days between the date the most definitive surgical procedure was performed on the primary site (NAACCR Item #3170) and the date the patient was discharged following primary site surgery (NAACCR Item #3180).
Both the Date of Most Definitive Surgery of the Primary Site and the Date of Surgical Discharge were added to FORDS in 2003, so this item is not defined before that.
No first course surgery, surgery unknown, elapsed days cannot be computed, or not available for these diagnosis years
READM_HOSP_30_DAYS
Records a readmission to the same hospital, for the same illness, within 30 days of discharge following hospitalization for surgical resection of the primary site.
· Consult patient record or information from the billing department to determine if a readmission to the same hospital occurred within 30 days of the date recorded in the item Date of Surgical Discharge (NAACCR Item #3180).
· Only record a readmission related to the treatment of this cancer.
· Review the treatment plan to determine whether the readmission was planned.
· If there was an unplanned admission following surgical discharge, check for an ICD-9-CM "E" code and record it, space allowing, as an additional ICD-9-CM Comorbidities and Complications item (NAACCR #3110, 3120, 3130, 3140, 3150, 3160, 3161, 3162, 3163, 3164).
This item is only reported using the FORDS manual for diagnosis years 2003 and later.
No surgical procedure of the primary site was performed, or the patient was not readmitted to the same hospital within 30 days of discharge.
A patient was surgically treated and was readmitted to the same hospital within 30 days of being discharged. This readmission was unplanned.
A patient was surgically treated and was then readmitted to the same hospital within 30 days of being discharged. This readmission was planned (chemotherapy port insertion, revision of colostomy, etc.)
A patient was surgically treated and, within 30 days of being discharged, the patient had both a planned and an unplanned readmission to the same hospital.
It is unknown whether surgery of the primary site was recommended or performed. It is unknown whether the patient was readmitted to the same hospital within 30 days of discharge.
REASON_FOR_NO_SURGERY
Records the reason that no surgery was performed on the primary site.
·If Surgical Procedure of Primary Site (NAACCR Item #1290) is coded 00, then record the reason based on documentation in the patient record.
·Code 1 if the treatment plan offered multiple options and the patient selected treatment that did not include surgery of the primary site, or if the option of "no treatment" was accepted by the patient.
·Code 1 if Surgical Procedure of Primary Site (NAACCR Item #1290) is coded 98.
·Code 7 if the patient refused recommended surgical treatment, made a blanket refusal of all recommended treatment, or refused all treatment before any was recommended.
·Cases coded 8 should be followed and updated to a more definitive code as appropriate.
·Code 9 if the treatment plan offered multiple choices, but it is unknown which treatment, if any was provided.
This item is reported using the FORDS manual for diagnosis years 2003 and later.
Surgery of the primary site was performed.
Surgery of the primary site was not performed because it was not part of the planned first course treatment.
Surgery of the primary site was not recommended/performed because it was contraindicated due to patient risk factors (comorbid conditions, advanced age, etc.)
Surgery of the primary site was not performed because the patient died prior to planned or recommended surgery.
Surgery of the primary site was not performed; it was recommended by the patient=s physician, but was not performed as part of the first course of therapy. No reason was noted in patient record.
Surgery of the primary site was not performed; it was recommended by the patient=s physician, but this treatment was refused by the patient, the patient=s family member, or the patient=s guardian. The refusal was noted in patient record.
Surgery of the primary site was recommended, but it is unknown if it was performed. Further follow-up is recommended.
It is unknown whether surgery of the primary site was recommended or performed. Diagnosed at autopsy or death certificate only.
DX_RAD_STARTED_DAYS
The number of days between the date of diagnosis (NAACCR Item #390) and the date on which radiation therapy was started (NAACCR Item #1210)
Radiation therapy not administered, radiation therapy unknown, or cannot compute days elapsed due to missing or incomplete dates
RX_SUMM_RADIATION
Records the type of radiation administered to the primary site or any metastatic site and includes all radiation therapy that is part of the first course of treatment, whether delivered at the reporting institution or at other institutions.
· Record the type of radiation administered to the primary site or any metastatic site.
· Include all procedures that are a part of the first course of treatment, whether delivered at the reporting institution or at other institutions.
This item is reported using the ROADS and DAM manuals for cases diagnosed December 31, 2002, and earlier. For cases diagnosed January 1, 2003 and later the code reported in this item as been imputed from the reported regional treatment modality using the FORDS manual.
Radiation not administered
Beam radiation
X-ray, cobalt, linear accelerator, neutron beam, betatron, spray radiation, intraoperative radiation and stereotactic radiosurgery (gamma knife and proton beam).
Radioactive implants
Brachytherapy, interstitial implants, molds, seeds, needles, or intracavitary applicators of radioactive materials (cesium, radium, radon, and radioactive gold).
Internal use of radioactive isotopes (iodine-131, phosphorus-32, strontium 89 and 90). Can be administered orally, intracavitary, or by intravenous injection.
Combination of beam radiation with radioactive implants or radioisotopes
Combination of code 1 with codes 2 and/or 3.
Radiation therapy, NOS
Radiation was administered, but the method or source is not documented.
Unknown if radiation therapy recommended or administered; death certificate only.
RAD_LOCATION_OF_RX
0-4, 8, 9
Identifies the location where radiation therapy was administered during the first course of treatment, as "at the reporting facility" or "elsewhere".
If the radiation treatment was provided to prolong a patient's life by controlling symptoms, to alleviate pain, or to make the patient more comfortable, then also record the radiation administered in the items Palliative Care (NAACCR Item #3270) and/or Palliative Care at This Facility (NAACCR Item #3280), as appropriate.
This item is reported as an optional item per the ROADS manual for cases diagnosed between January 1, 1996, and December 31, 2002, and required by FORDS thereafter.
No radiation therapy was administered to the patient. Diagnosed at autopsy.
All radiation treatment at this facility
All radiation therapy was administered at the reporting facility.
Regional treatment at this facility, boost elsewhere
Regional treatment was administered at the reporting facility; a boost dose was administered elsewhere.
Boost radiation at this facility, regional elsewhere
Regional treatment was administered elsewhere; a boost dose was administered at the reporting facility.
All radiation treatment elsewhere
All radiation therapy was administered elsewhere.
Radiation therapy was administered, but the pattern does not fit the above categories.
Radiation therapy was administered, but the location of the treatment facility is unknown or not stated in patient record; it is unknown whether radiation therapy was administered. Death certificate only.
RAD_TREAT_VOL
00-41, 50, 60, 98, 99
Identifies the volume or anatomic target of the most clinically significant regional radiation therapy delivered to the patient during the first course of treatment.
Radiation treatment volume will typically be found in the radiation oncologist's summary letter for the first course of treatment. Determination of the exact treatment volume may require assistance from the radiation oncologist for consistent coding.
If two discrete volumes are treated and one of those includes the primary site, record the treatment to the primary site.
This item is reported as an optional item per the ROADS manual for cases diagnosed between January 1, 1996, and December 31, 2002, and required thereafter.
No radiation treatment
Radiation therapy was not administered to the patient. Diagnosed at autopsy.
Eye/orbit
The radiation therapy target volume is limited to the eye and/or orbit.
The target volume is restricted to the pituitary gland and all adjacent volumes are irradiated incidentally.
Brain (NOS)
Treatment is directed at tumors lying within the substance of the brain, or its meninges.
Brain (limited)
The treatment volume encompasses less than the total brain, or less than all of the meninges.
Head and neck (NOS)
The treatment volume is directed at a primary tumor of the oropharyngeal complex, usually encompassing regional lymph nodes.
Head and neck (limited)
Limited volume treatment of a head and neck primary with the exception of glottis (code 7), sinuses (code 8), or parotid (code 9).
Glottis
Treatment is limited to a volume in the immediate neighborhood of the vocal cords.
Sinuses
The primary target is one or both of the maxillary sinuses or the ethmoidal frontal sinuses. In some cases, the adjacent lymph node regions my be irradiated.
Parotid
The primary target is one of the parotid glands. There may be secondary regional lymph node irradiation as well.
Chest/lung (NOS)
Radiation therapy is directed to some combination of hilar, mediastinal, and/or supraclavicular lymph nodes, and/or peripheral lung structures.
Lung (limited)
Radiation therapy is directed at one region of the lung without nodal irradiation.
The primary target is some portion of the esophagus. Regional lymph nodes may or may not be included in the treatment. Include tumors of the gastroesophageal junction.
The primary malignancy is in the stomach. Radiation is directed to the stomach and possibly adjacent lymph nodes.
The primary target is all or a portion of the liver, for either primary or metastatic disease.
The primary tumor is in the pancreas. The treatment field encompasses the pancreas and possibly adjacent lymph node regions.
The target is primary or metastatic disease in the kidney or the kidney bed after resection of a primary kidney tumor. Adjacent lymph node regions may be included in the field.
Abdomen (NOS)
Include all treatment of abdominal contents that do not fit codes 12–16.
The primary target is the intact breast and no attempt has been made to irradiate the regional lymph nodes. Intact breast includes breast tissue that either was not surgically treated or received a lumpectomy or partial mastectomy (C50.0–C50.9, Surgical Procedure of Primary Site [NAACCR Item #1290] codes 0–24).
Breast/lymph nodes
A deliberate attempt has been made to include regional lymph nodes in the treatment of an intact breast. See definition of intact breast above.
Chest wall
Treatment encompasses the chest wall (following mastectomy).
Chest wall/lymph nodes
Treatment encompasses the chest wall (following mastectomy) plus fields directed at regional lymph nodes.
Mantle, Mini-mantle
Treatment consists of a large radiation field designed to encompass all of the regional lymph nodes above the diaphragm, including cervical, supraclavicular, axillary, mediastinal, and hilar nodes (mantle), or most of them (mini-mantle).This code is used exclusively for patients with Hodgkin's or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Lower extended field
The target zone includes lymph nodes below the diaphragm along the paraaortic chain. It may include extension to one side of the pelvis. This code includes the "hockey stick" field utilized to treat seminomas.
The primary target relates to the bones of the spine, including the sacrum. Spinal cord malignancies should be coded 40 (Spinal cord).
Treatment is directed at the bones of the skull. Any brain irradiation is a secondary consequence.
Treatment is directed toward metastatic disease in one or more ribs. Fields may be tangential or direct.
The target includes the proximal femur for metastatic disease. In may cases there may be acetabular disease as well.
Pelvic bones
The target includes structures of the bones of the pelvis other than the hip or sacrum.
Pelvis (NOS)
Irradiation is directed at soft tissues within the pelvic region and codes 34–36 do not apply.
The primary malignancy originates in the skin and the skin is the primary target. So-called skin metastases are usually subcutaneous and should be coded 31 (Soft tissue).
All treatment of primary or metastatic soft tissue malignancies not fitting other categories.
Hemibody
A single treatment volume encompassing either all structures above the diaphragm, or all structures below the diaphragm. This is almost always administered for palliation of widespread bone metastasis in patients with prostate or breast cancer.
Entire body included in a single treatment.
Bladder and pelvis
The primary malignancy originated in the bladder, all or most of the pelvis is treated as part of the plan, typically with a boost to the bladder.
Prostate and pelvis
The primary malignancy originated in the prostate, all or most of the pelvis is treated as part of the plan, typically with a boost to the prostate.
Uterus and cervix
Treatment is confined to the uterus and cervix or vaginal cuff, usually by intracavitary or interstitial technique. If entire pelvis is included in a portion of the treatment, then code 29 (Pelvis, NOS).
Treatment is directed to the proximal humerus, scapula, clavicle, or other components of the shoulder complex. This is usually administered for control of symptoms for metastases.
Extremity bone, NOS
Bones of the arms or legs. This excludes the proximal femur, code 27 (Hip). This excludes the proximal humerus, code 37 (Shoulder).
Inverted Y
Treatment has been given to a field that encompasses the paraaortic and bilateral inguinal or inguinofemoral lymph nodes in a single port.
Treatment is directed at the spinal cord or its meninges.
Treatment is directed at the prostate with or without the seminal vesicles, without regional lymph node treatment.
Treatment is directed at the thyroid gland.
Lymph node region, NOS
The target is a group of lymph nodes not listed above. Examples include isolated treatment of a cervical, supraclavicular, or inguinofemoral region.
Radiation therapy administered, treatment volume other than those previously categorized.
Radiation therapy administered, treatment volume unknown or not stated in patient record; it is unknown whether radiation therapy was administered. Death certificate only.
RAD_REGIONAL_RX_MODALITY
00, 20-32, 50-55, 60-62, 98, 99
Records the dominant modality of radiation therapy used to deliver the most clinically significant regional dose to the primary volume of interest during the first course of treatment.
· Radiation treatment modality will typically be found in the radiation oncologist's summary letter for the first course of treatment. Segregation of treatment components into regional and boost and determination of the respective treatment modality may require assistance from the radiation oncologist to ensure consistent coding.
· In the event multiple radiation therapy modalities were employed in the treatment of the patient, record only the dominant modality.
· Note that in some circumstances the boost treatment may precede the regional treatment.
· For purposes of this data item, photons and x-rays are equivalent.
This item is reported as an optional item per the ROADS manual for cases diagnosed between January 1, 1996, and December 31, 2002, and required thereafter. For cases diagnosed December 31, 2002 and earlier where this item was not reported, an imputed value from the ROADS radiation therapy item (NAACCR Item# 1350) has been used to assign this item.
Codes 80 and 85 retain specific converted descriptions of radiation therapy coded according to ROADS and DAM rules, and were not to be used to record regional radiation for cases diagnosed January 1, 2003, or later.
External beam, NOS
The treatment is known to be by external beam, but there is insufficient information to determine the specific modality.
Orthovoltage
External beam therapy administered using equipment with a maximum energy of less than one (1) million volts (MV). Orthovoltage energies are typically expressed in units of kilovolts (kV).
Cobalt-60, Cesium-137
External beam therapy using a machine containing either a Cobalt- 60 or Cesium-137 source. Intracavitary use of these sources is coded either 50 or 51.
Photons (2–5 MV)
External beam therapy using a photon producing machine with beam energy in the range of 2–5 MV.
Photons (6–10 MV)
External beam therapy using a photon producing machine with beam energy in the range of 6–10 MV.
Photons (11–19 MV)
External beam therapy using a photon producing machine with beam energy in the range of 11–19 MV.
Photons (>19 MV)
External beam therapy using a photon producing machine with beam energy of more than 19 MV.
Photons (mixed energies)
External beam therapy using more than one energy over the course of treatment.
Treatment delivered by electron beam.
Photons and electrons mixed
Treatment delivered using a combination of photon and electron beams.
Neutrons, with or without photons/electrons
Treatment delivered using neutron beam.
IMRT
Intensity modulated radiation therapy, an external beam technique that should be clearly stated in patient record.
Conformal or 3-D therapy
An external beam technique using multiple, fixed portals shaped to conform to a defined target volume. Should be clearly described as conformal or 3-D therapy in patient record.
Treatment delivered using proton therapy.
Stereotactic radiosurgery, NOS
Treatment delivered using stereotactic radiosurgery, type not specified in patient record.
Linac radiosurgery
Treatment categorized as using stereotactic technique delivered with a linear accelerator.
Treatment categorized as using stereotactic technique delivered using a Gamma Knife machine.
Brachytherapy, NOS
Brachytherapy, interstitial implants, molds, seeds, needles, or intracavitary applicators of radioactive materials not otherwise specified.
Brachytherapy, Intracavitary, LDR
Intracavitary (no direct insertion into tissues) radio-isotope treatment using low dose rate applicators and isotopes (Cesium-137, Fletcher applicator).
Brachytherapy, Intracavitary, HDR
Intracavitary (no direct insertion into tissues) radioisotope treatment using high dose rate after-loading applicators and isotopes.
Brachytherapy, Interstitial, LDR
Interstitial (direct insertion into tissues) radioisotope treatment using low dose rate sources.
Brachytherapy, Interstitial, HDR
Interstitial (direct insertion into tissues) radioisotope treatment using high dose rate sources.
Infrequently used for low dose rate (LDR) interstitial and intracavitary therapy.
Radioisotopes, NOS
Iodine-131, Phosphorus-32, etc.
Treatment primarily by intravenous routes for bone metastases.
Combination modality, specified*
Combination of external beam radiation and either radioactive implants or radioisotopes*
Combination modality, NOS*
Combination of radiation treatment modalities not specified in code 80.*
Other, NOS
Radiation therapy administered, but the treatment modality is not specified or is unknown.
Radiation therapy administered, treatment volume unknown or not stated in the patient record; it is unknown whether radiation therapy was administered. Death certificate only.
* see analyst note above.
RAD_REGIONAL_DOSE_CGY
00000 – 88887, 88888, 99999
Records the dominant or most clinically significant total dose of regional radiation therapy delivered to the patient during the first course of treatment. The unit of measure is centiGray (cGy).
·The International Council for Radiation Protection (ICRP) recommends recording doses at the axis point where applicable (opposed fields, four field box, wedged pair, and so on). For maximum consistency in this data item, the ICRP recommendations should be followed whenever possible. Where there is no clear axis point, record the dose as indicated in the summary chart. Determining the exact dose may be highly subjective and require assistance from the radiation oncologist for consistent coding.
·Regional dose will typically be found in the radiation oncologist's summary letter for the first course of treatment. Determination of the total dose of regional radiation therapy may require assistance from the radiation oncologist for consistent coding.
·Do not include the boost dose, if one was administered.
·Code 88888 when brachytherapy or radioisotopes—codes 50–62 for Regional Treatment Modality (NAACCR Item #1570)—were administered to the patient.
Note that dose is still occasionally specified in "rads." One rad is equivalent to one centiGray (cGy).
This item is reported as an optional item per the ROADS manual for cases diagnosed between January 1, 1996 and December 31, 2002, and required thereafter.
(fill spaces)
Record the actual regional dose delivered.
Radiation therapy was not administered. Diagnosed at autopsy.
Not applicable, brachytherapy or radioisotopes administered to the patient.
Regional radiation therapy was administered, but the dose is unknown; it is unknown whether radiation therapy was administered. Death certificate only.
RAD_BOOST_RX_MODALITY
Records the dominant modality of radiation therapy used to deliver the most clinically significant boost dose to the primary volume of interest during the first course of treatment. This is accomplished with external beam fields of reduced size (relative to the regional treatment fields), implants, stereotactic radiosurgery, conformal therapy, or IMRT. External beam boosts may consist of two or more successive phases with progressively smaller fields generally coded as a single entity.
·Radiation boost treatment modalities will typically be found in the radiation oncologist's summary letter for the first course of treatment. Segregation of treatment components into regional and boost and determination of the respective treatment modality may require assistance from the radiation oncologist to ensure consistent coding.
·In the event that multiple radiation therapy boost modalities were employed during the treatment of the patient, record only the dominant modality.
·Note that in some circumstances, the boost treatment may precede the regional treatment.
·For purposes of this field, photons and x-rays are equivalent
This item was only reported using FORDS diagnosed January 1, 2003, and later.
RAD_BOOST_DOSE_CGY
Records the additional dose delivered to that part of the treatment volume encompassed by the boost fields or devices. The unit of measure is centiGray (cGy).
The International Council for Radiation Protection (ICRP) recommends recording doses at the axis point where applicable (opposed fields, four field box, wedged pair, and so on). For maximum consistency in this data item, the ICRP recommendations should be followed whenever possible. Where there is no clear axis point, record the dose as indicated in the summary chart. Consult the radiation oncologist for the exact dose, if necessary.
· Radiation boost treatment dose will typically be found in the radiation oncologist's summary letter for the first course of treatment. Determination of the additional boost dose of radiation therapy may require assistance from the radiation oncologist for consistent coding.
· Do not include the regional dose. In general, the boost dose will be calculated as the difference between the maximum prescribed dose and the regional dose. Many patients will not have a boost.
· Code 88888 when brachytherapy or radioisotopes—codes 50–62 for Boost Treatment Modality (NAACCR Item #3200)—were administered to the patient.
· Note that dose is still occasionally specified in "rads." One rad is equivalent to one centiGray (cGy).
There may be times when the first course of treatment information is incomplete. Therefore, it is important to continue follow-up efforts to be certain the complete treatment information is collected.
RAD_NUM_TREAT_VOL
Records the total number of treatment sessions (fractions) administered during the first course of treatment.
· The number of treatments or fractions will typically be found in the radiation oncologist's summary letter for the first course of treatment. Determination of the exact number of treatments or fractions delivered to the patient may require assistance from the radiation oncologist for consistent coding.
· Although a treatment session may include several treatment portals delivered within a relatively confined period of time—usually a few minutes—it is still considered one session.
· The total number of treatment sessions (fractions) is the sum of the number of fractions of regional treatment and the number of fractions of boost treatment.
· Count brachytherapy or implants as a single treatment or fraction.
Number of treatments
Total number of treatment sessions administered to the patient.
Radiation therapy was administered, but the number of treatments is unknown. Or, it is unknown whether radiation therapy was administered. Death certificate only.
RX_SUMM_SURGRAD_SEQ
0, 2-6, 9
Records the sequencing of radiation and surgical procedures given as part of the first course of treatment.
· Surgical procedures include Surgical Procedure of Primary Site (NAACCR Item #1290); Scope of Regional Lymph Node Surgery (NAACCR Item #1292); Surgical Procedure/Other Site (NAACCR Item #1294). If none of these procedures was performed and/or if no radiation therapy was administered then this item is coded 0.
· If the patient received both radiation therapy and any one or a combination of the following surgical procedures: Surgical Procedure of Primary Site, Regional Lymph Node Surgery, or Surgical Procedure/Other Site, then code this item 2–9, as appropriate.
This item is reported as an optional item per the ROADS manual for cases diagnosed between January 1, 1996, and December 31, 2002, and required thereafter. For cases diagnosed December 31, 2002 and earlier where this item was not reported, a value was imputed from the following ROADS items: Radiation Therapy (NAACCR Item# 1350); Date Radiation Started (NAACCR Item# 1210); Surgical Procedure of Primary Site (NAACCR Item #1290); Scope of Regional Lymph Node Surgery (NAACCR Item #1292); Surgical Procedure/Other Site (NAACCR Item #1294); and Date of Definitive Surgery (NAACCR Item #3170) have been used to assign this item.
Beginning with 2010 diagnoses, when it is unknown whether radiation and/or surgery was performed, the code assigned changed from 9 to 0. It is likely a shift in distribution of these two codes may be noticable around that time.
No radiation therapy
and/or surgical procedures
No radiation therapy given; and/or no surgery of the primary site; no scope of regional lymph node surgery; no surgery to other regional site(s), distant site(s), or distant lymph node(s); or no reconstructive surgery. It is unknown if radiation therapy was administered and/or it is unknown if surgery to primary site; scope of regional lymph node surgery, surgery to other regional site(s), distant site(s), or distant lymph node(s) was performed. Diagnosed at autopsy.
Radiation therapy before surgery
Radiation therapy given before surgery to primary site; scope of regional lymph node surgery, surgery to other regional site(s), distant site(s), or distant lymph node(s).
Radiation therapy after surgery
Radiation therapy given after surgery to primary site; scope of regional lymph node surgery, surgery to other regional site(s), distant site(s), or distant lymph node(s).
Radiation therapy both before and after surgery
Radiation therapy given before and after any surgery to primary site; scope of regional lymph node surgery, surgery to other regional site(s), distant site(s), or distant lymph node(s).
Intraoperative radiation therapy
Intraoperative therapy given during surgery to primary site; scope of regional lymph node surgery, surgery to other regional site(s), distant site(s), or distant lymph node(s).
Intraoperative radiation therapy with other therapy administered before or after surgery
Intraoperative radiation therapy given during surgery to primary site; scope of regional lymph node surgery, surgery to other regional site(s), distant site(s), or distant lymph node(s) with other radiation therapy administered before or after surgery to primary site; scope of regional lymph node surgery, surgery to other regional site(s), distant site(s), or distant lymph node(s).
Sequence unknown
Administration of radiation therapy and surgery to primary site, scope of regional lymph node surgery, surgery to other regional site(s), distant site(s), or distant lymph node(s) were performed and the sequence of the treatment is not stated in the patient record. Death certificate only.
RAD_ELAPSED_RX_DAYS
For diagnosis years prior to 2003, this item uses a single ROADS item containing the number of elapsed days between the start and end of radiation. For diagnosis years 2003 and later, this item is calculated as the number of days between the date radiation started (NAACCR Item #1210) and the date on which radiation therapy ended (NAACCR Item #3220). 1 is added to the number of days elapsed. This means that if radiation starts and ends on the same date, then 1 day has elapsed, if radiation ends the day after it is started, then 2 days have elapsed, and so on.
None, radiation not administered
Missing or incomplete dates for radiation start and end, days elapsed missing, or unknown if had radiation
REASON_FOR_NO_RADIATION
0 – 2, 5 – 9
Records the reason that no regional radiation therapy was administered to the patient.
If Regional Treatment Modality (NAACCR Item #1570) is coded 00, then record the reason based on documentation in patient record.
Code 1 if the treatment plan offered multiple options and the patient selected treatment that did not include radiation therapy.
Code 7 if the patient refused recommended radiation therapy, made a blanket refusal of all recommended treatment, or refused all treatment before any was recommended.
Cases coded 8 should be followed and updated to a more definitive code as appropriate.
Code 9 if the treatment plan offered multiple options, but it is unknown which treatment, if any, was provided.
Prior to the implementation of FORDS in 2003, the information recorded in this item was limited to the content recorded as 0, 1, 7, 8 and 9.
Radiation therapy was administered.
Radiation therapy was not administered because it was not part of the planned first course treatment.
Radiation therapy was not recommended/administered because it was contraindicated due to other patient risk factors (comorbid conditions, advanced age, etc.).
Radiation therapy was not administered because the patient died prior to planned or recommended therapy.
Radiation therapy was not administered; it was recommended by the patient's physician, but was not administered as part of first course treatment. No reason was noted in patient record.
Radiation therapy was not administered; it was recommended by the patient's physician, but this treatment was refused by the patient, the patient's family member, or the patient's guardian. The refusal was noted in patient record.
Radiation therapy was recommended, but it is unknown whether it was administered.
It is unknown if radiation therapy was recommended or administered. Death certificate and autopsy cases only.
DX_SYSTEMIC_STARTED_DAYS
The number of days between the date of diagnosis (NAACCR Item #390) and the date on which any systemic therapy [chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, or hematologic transplant and endocrine procedures] was started (NAACCR Item #3230).
CoC cancer programs are required to identify treatment their patients received from all sources. Systemic treatment may have occurred at any facility, or at multiple facilities, not limited to the one whose report is included in this file. This refers to the first administration of systemic treatment for the cancer by any facility. This item is only available for diagnosis years 2003 and later.
Systemic therapy not administered, therapy unknown, cannot compute days elapsed, or not available for these diagnosis years
RX_SUMM_CHEMO
00 – 03, 82, 85 – 88, 99
Records the type of chemotherapy administered as first course treatment at any facility. If chemotherapy was not administered, then this item records the reason it was not administered to the patient. Chemotherapy consists of a group of anticancer drugs that inhibit the reproduction of cancer cells by interfering with DNA synthesis and mitosis.
· Code 00 if chemotherapy was not administered to the patient, and it is known that it is not usually administered for this type and stage of cancer.
· Code 00 if the treatment plan offered multiple options, and the patient selected treatment that did not include chemotherapy.
· If it is known that chemotherapy is usually administered for this type and stage of cancer, but was not administered to the patient, use code 82, 85, 86, or 87 to record the reason why it was not administered.
· Code 87 if the patient refused recommended chemotherapy, made a blanket refusal of all recommended treatment, or refused all treatment before any was recommended.
· Code 99 if it is not known whether chemotherapy is usually administered for this type and stage of cancer and there is no mention in the patient record whether it was recommended or administered.
· If the managing physician changes one of the agents in a combination regimen, and the replacement agent belongs to a different group (chemotherapeutic agents are grouped as alkylating agents, antimetabolites, natural products, or other miscellaneous) than the original agent, the new regimen represents the start of subsequent therapy, and only the original agent or regimen is recorded as first course therapy.
· Refer to SEER*Rx (http://seer.cancer.gov/tools/seerrx/) for coding of chemotherapeutic, hormonal and immunotherapies.
· If chemotherapy was provided to prolong a patient's life by controlling symptoms, to alleviate pain, or to make the patient more comfortable, then also record the chemotherapy administered in the item Palliative Care (NAACCR Item #3270).
Update for 2013 PUF: Six drugs previously classified as Chemotherapy are now classified as BRM/Immunotherapy. This change in classification is effective only for cases diagnosed in January 1st, 2013 and forward. While the NCDB does not provide drug-specific data, changes in case counts may be observed for the Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy variables for cases diagnosed in 2013 due to the change in classification. The drugs are: Alemtuzumab/Campath, Bvacizumab/Avastin, Rituximab, Trastuzumab/Herceptin, Pertuzumab/Perjeta, and Cetuxumab/Erbitux.
CoC cancer programs are required to identify treatment their patients received from all sources. Chemotherapy treatment may have occurred at any facility, or at multiple facilities, not limited to the one whose report is included in this file. This refers to chemotherapy to treat the cancer by any facility.
None, chemotherapy was not part of the planned first course of therapy. Diagnosed at autopsy.
Chemotherapy administered as first course therapy, but the type and number of agents is not documented in patient record.
Single-agent chemotherapy administered as first course therapy.
Multiagent chemotherapy administered as first course therapy.
Chemotherapy was not recommended/administered because it was contraindicated due to patient risk factors (ie, comorbid conditions, advanced age).
Chemotherapy was not administered because the patient died prior to planned or recommended therapy.
Chemotherapy was not administered. It was recommended by the patient's physician, but was not administered as part of the first course of therapy. No reason was stated in patient record.
Chemotherapy was not administered. It was recommended by the patient's physician, but this treatment was refused by the patient, a patient's family member, or the patient's guardian. The refusal was noted in patient record.
Chemotherapy was recommended, but it is unknown if it was administered.
It is unknown whether a chemotherapeutic agent(s) was recommended or administered because it is not stated in patient record. Death certificate only.
DX_CHEMO_STARTED_DAYS
The number of days between the date of diagnosis (NAACCR Item #390) and the date on which chemotherapy at any facility was started (NAACCR Item #1220).
The portion of cases with unknown values for this item is higher for 2002 cases. NCDB dropped the requirement to report systemic treatment-specific treatment dates in FORDS in 2003, and one or more registry software vendors dropped these dates from their data collection screens starting in January 2003 while a substantial proportion of 2002 cases were still being abstracted. NCDB subsequently requested vendors to submit these items if their registries were abstracting them. However, for the cases that had already been entered, this information was not abstracted and was not submitted to NCDB.
CoC cancer programs are required to identify treatment their patients received from all sources. Chemotherapy treatment may have occurred at any facility, or at multiple facilities, not limited to the one whose report is included in this file. This refers to the first administration of chemotherapy for the cancer by any facility.
Chemotherapy not administered, chemotherapy unknown, or days elapsed cannot be computed due to missing or incomplete dates
RX_SUMM_HORMONE
00, 01, 82, 85 – 88, 99
Records the type of hormone therapy administered as first course treatment at any facility. If hormone therapy was not administered, then this item records the reason it was not administered to the patient. Hormone therapy consists of a group of drugs that may affect the long-term control of a cancer's growth.
· Record prednisone as hormonal therapy when administered in combination with chemotherapy, such as MOPP (mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, prednisone) or COPP (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, prednisone).
· Do not code prednisone as hormone therapy when it is administered for reasons other than chemotherapeutic treatment.
· Tumor involvement or treatment may destroy hormone-producing tissue. Hormone replacement therapy will be given if the hormone is necessary to maintain normal metabolism and body function. Do not code hormone replacement therapy as part of first course therapy.
· Code 00 if hormone therapy was not administered to the patient, and it is known that it is not usually administered for this type and stage of cancer.
· Code 00 if the treatment plan offered multiple options, and the patient selected treatment that did not include hormone therapy.
· Code 01 for thyroid replacement therapy which inhibits TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone). TSH is a product of the pituitary gland that can stimulate tumor growth.
· If it is known that hormone therapy is usually administered for this type and stage of cancer, but was not administered to the patient, use code 82, 85, 86, or 87 to record the reason why it was not administered.
· Code 87 if the patient refused recommended hormone therapy, made a blanket refusal of all recommended treatment, or refused all treatment before any was recommended.
· Code 99 if it is not known whether hormone therapy is usually administered for this type and stage of cancer, and there is no mention in the patient record whether it was recommended or administered.
· Refer to SEER*Rx (http://seer.cancer.gov/tools/seerrx/) for instructions for coding hormonal, chemotherapeutic and immunotherapy agents.
· If hormone therapy was provided to prolong a patient's life by controlling symptoms, to alleviate pain, or to make the patient more comfortable, then also record the hormone therapy administered in the item Palliative Care (NAACCR Item #3270).
CoC cancer programs are required to identify treatment their patients received from all sources. Hormone treatment may have been given by any facility, or at multiple facilities, not limited to the one whose report is included in this file.
None, hormone therapy was not part of the planned first course of therapy. Diagnosed at autopsy.
Hormone therapy administered as first course therapy.
Hormone therapy was not recommended/administered because it was contraindicated due to patient risk factors (ie, comorbid conditions, advanced age).
Hormone therapy was not administered because the patient died prior to planned or recommended therapy.
Hormone therapy was not administered. It was recommended by the patient's physician, but was not administered as part of the first course of therapy. No reason was stated in patient record.
Hormone therapy was not administered. It was recommended by the patient's physician, but this treatment was refused by the patient, a patient's family member, or the patient's guardian. The refusal was noted in patient record.
Hormone therapy was recommended, but it is unknown if it was administered.
It is unknown whether a hormonal agent(s) was recommended or administered because it is not stated in patient record. Death certificate only.
DX_HORMONE_STARTED_DAYS
The number of days between the date of diagnosis (NAACCR Item #390) and the date on which hormone therapy at any facility was started (NAACCR Item #1230).
CoC cancer programs are required to identify treatment their patients received from all sources. Hormone treatment may have been provided by any facility, or multiple facilities, not limited to the one whose report is included in this file. This refers to the first administration of hormone treatment for the cancer by any facility.
Hormone therapy not administered, hormone therapy unknown, or cannot compute elapsed days due to missing or incomplete dates
RX_SUMM_IMMUNOTHERAPY
Records the type of immunotherapy administered as first course treatment at this and all other facilities. If immunotherapy was not administered, then this item records the reason it was not administered to the patient. Immunotherapy consists of biological or chemical agents that alter the immune system or change the host's response to tumor cells.
· Code 00 if immunotherapy was not administered to the patient, and it is known that it is not usually administered for this type and stage of cancer.
· Code 00 if the treatment plan offered multiple options, and the patient selected treatment that did not include immunotherapy.
· If it is known that immunotherapy is usually administered for this type and stage of cancer, but was not administered to the patient, use code 82, 85, 86, or 87 to record the reason why it was not administered.
· Code 87 if the patient refused recommended immunotherapy, made a blanket refusal of all recommended treatment, or refused all treatment before any was recommended.
· Code 99 if it is not known whether immunotherapy is usually administered for this type and stage of cancer, and there is no mention in the patient record whether it was recommended or administered.
· Refer to SEER*Rx (http://seer.cancer.gov/tools/seerrx/) for instructions for coding immunotherapy, chemotherapeutic and hormonal agents.
· If immunotherapy was provided to prolong a patient's life by controlling symptoms, to alleviate pain, or to make the patient more comfortable, then also record the immunotherapy administered in the item Palliative Care (NAACCR Item #3270).
Agents included for immunotherapy are also known at biologic response modifiers.
CoC cancer programs are required to identify treatment their patients received from all sources. Immunotherapy may have occurred at any facility, or at multiple facilities, not limited to the one whose report is included in this file.
None, immunotherapy was not part of the planned first course of therapy. Diagnosed at autopsy.
Immunotherapy administered as first course therapy.
Immunotherapy was not recommended/administered because it was contraindicated due to patient risk factors (ie, comorbid conditions, advanced age).
Immunotherapy was not administered because the patient died prior to planned or recommended therapy.
Immunotherapy was not administered. It was recommended by the patient's physician, but was not administered as part of the first course of therapy. No reason was stated in patient record.
Immunotherapy was not administered. It was recommended by the patient's physician, but this treatment was refused by the patient, a patient's family member, or the patient's guardian. The refusal was noted in patient record.
Immunotherapy was recommended, but it is unknown if it was administered.
It is unknown whether a immunotherapeutic agent(s) was recommended or administered because it is not stated in patient record. Death certificate only.
DX_IMMUNO_STARTED_DAYS
The number of days between the date of diagnosis (NAACCR Item #390) and the date on which immunotherapy at any facility was started (NAACCR Item #1240).
CoC cancer programs are required to identify treatment their patients received from all sources. Immunotherapy may have occurred at any facility, or at multiple facilities, not limited to the one whose report is included in this file. This refers to the first administration of immunotherapy for the cancer by any facility.
Immunotherapy not administered, immunotherapy unknown, or cannot compute days elapsed due to missing or incomplete dates
RX_SUMM_TRNSPLNT_ENDO
00, 10 -12, 20, 30, 40, 82, 85 – 88, 99
Identifies systemic therapeutic procedures performed as part of the first course of treatment at this and all other facilities. If none of these procedures was performed, then this item records the reason why not. These procedures include bone marrow transplants, stem cell harvests, and surgical and/or radiation endocrine therapy.
· Bone marrow transplants should be coded as either autologous (bone marrow originally taken from the patient) or allogeneic (bone marrow donated by a person other than the patient). For cases in which the bone marrow transplant was syngeneic (transplanted marrow from an identical twin), the item is coded as allogeneic.
· Stem cell harvests involve the collection of immature blood cells from the patient and the reintroduction by transfusion of the harvested cells following chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
· Endocrine irradiation and/or endocrine surgery are procedures which suppress the naturally occurring hormonal activity of the patient and thus alter or effect the long-term control of the cancer's growth. These procedures must be bilateral to qualify as endocrine surgery or endocrine radiation. If only one gland is intact at the start of treatment, surgery and/or radiation to that remaining gland is coded as endocrine surgery or endocrine radiation.
· Code 00 if a transplant or endocrine procedure was not administered to the patient, and it is known that these procedures are not usually administered for this type and stage of cancer.
· Code 00 if the treatment plan offered multiple options, and the patient selected treatment that did not include a transplant or endocrine procedure.
· If it is known that a transplant or endocrine procedure is usually administered for this type and stage of cancer, but was not administered to the patient, use code 82, 85, 86, or 87 to record the reason why it was not administered.
· Code 87 if the patient refused a recommended transplant or endocrine procedure, made a blanket refusal of all recommended treatment, or refused all treatment before any was recommended.
· Code 99 if it is not known whether a transplant or endocrine procedure is usually administered for this type and stage of cancer, and there is no mention in the patient record whether it was recommended or administered.
· If hematologic transplant or endocrine procedure coded in this item was provided to prolong a patient's life by controlling symptoms, to alleviate pain, or to make the patient more comfortable, then also record the hematologic transplant or endocrine procedure provided in the item Palliative Care (NAACCR Item #3270) and/or Palliatiave Care at This Facility (NAACCR Item #3280), as appropriate.
CoC cancer programs are required to identify treatment their patients received from all sources. Procedures may have occurred at any facility, not limited to the one whose report is included in this file.
No transplant procedure or endocrine therapy was administered as part of first course therapy. Diagnosed at autopsy.
A bone marrow transplant procedure was administered, but the type was not specified.
Bone marrow transplant - autologous.
Bone marrow transplant - allogeneic.
Stem cell harvest and infusion. Umbilical cord stem cell transplant, with blood from one or multiple umbilical cords.
Endocrine surgery and/or endocrine radiation therapy.
Combination of endocrine surgery and/or radiation with a transplant procedure. (Combination of codes 30 and 10, 11, 12, or 20.)
Hematologic transplant and/or endocrine surgery/radiation was not recommended/administered because it was contraindicated due to patient risk factors (ie, comorbid conditions, advanced age).
Hematologic transplant and/or endocrine surgery/radiation was not administered because the patient died prior to planned or recommended therapy.
Hematologic transplant and/or endocrine surgery/radiation was not administered. It was recommended by the patient's physician, but was not administered as part of the first course of therapy. No reason was stated in patient record.
Hematologic transplant and/or endocrine surgery/radiation was not administered. It was recommended by the patient's physician, but this treatment was refused by the patient, a patient's family member, or the patient's guardian. The refusal was noted in patient record.
Hematologic transplant and/or endocrine surgery/radiation was recommended, but it is unknown if it was administered.
It is unknown whether hematologic transplant and/or endocrine surgery/radiation was recommended or administered because it is not stated in patient record. Death certificate only.
RX_SUMM_SYSTEMIC_SUR_SEQ
Records the sequencing of systemic treatment and surgical procedures given as part of the first course of treatment.
Surgical procedures include Surgical Procedures of the Primary Site (NAACCR Item #1290, Scope of Regional Lymph Node Surgery (NAACCR Item #1292), and Surgical Procedure/Other Site (NAACCR Item #1294). Systemic therapy includes Chemotherapy (NAACCR Item #1390), Hormone Therapy (NAACCR Item #1300), Immunotherapy (NAACCR Item #1410) and Hematologic Transplant and Endocrine Procedure (NAACCR Item #3250). If no surgical procedure was performed, or no systemic treatment was given, this item is coded 0.
If both surgery and systemic treatment were provided for this cancer, then code 2-9, as appropriate.
This item was added to FORDS for use with cases diagnosed in 2006 or later.
CoC cancer programs are required to identify treatment their patients received from all sources. Treatment may have occurred at any facility, or at multiple facilities, not limited to the one whose report is included in this file.
Code Definition
No systemic therapy was given; and/or no surgical procedure of primary site; no scope of regional lymph node surgery; no surgery to other regional site(s), distant site(s), or distant lymph node(s); or no reconstructive surgery was performed. Or: It is unknown whether both surgery and systemic treatment were provided.
Systemic therapy was given before surgical procedure of primary site; scope of regional lymph node surgery; surgery to other regional site(s), distant site(s), or distant lymph node(s) was performed.
Systemic therapy was given after surgical procedure of primary site; scope of regional lymph node surgery; surgery to other regional site(s), distant site(s), or distant lymph node(s) was performed.
At least two courses of systemic therapy were given before and at least two more after a surgical procedure of primary site; scope of regional lymph node sugery; surgery to other regional site(s), or distant site(s), or lymph node(s) was performed.
Intraoperative systemic therapy was given during surgical procedure of primary site; scope of regional lymph node surgery; surgery to other regional site(s), distant site(s), or distant lymph node(s).
Intraoperative systemic therapy was given during surgical procedure of primary site; scope of regional lymph node surgery; surgery to other regional site(s), distant site(s), or distant lymph node(s) with other systemic therapy administered before or after surgical procedure of primary site; scope of regional lymph node surgery; surgery to other regional site(s), distant site(s), or distant lymph node(s) was performed.
Systemic therapy was administered between two separate surgical procedures to the primary site; regional lymph node surgery; surgery to other regional site(s), distant site(s), or distant lymph node(s) with other systemic therapy adminstered before or after surgical procedures to the primary site; regional lymph node surgery; surgery to other regional site(s), distant site(s), or distant lymph node(s) was performed.
Both surgery and systemic therapy were provided, but the sequence is unknown.
RX_SUMM_OTHER
Identifies other treatment that cannot be defined as surgery, radiation, or systemic therapy according to the defined data items in this manual.
In order to report the hematopoiectic cases in which the patient received supportive care, SSER and the Commissison on Cancer have agreed to record treatments such as phlebotomy, transfusion, or aspirin as "Other Treatment" Code 1 for certain hematopoietic diseases ONLY. Consult http://seer.cancer.gov/tools/seerrx/ for instructions for coding care of specific hematopoietic neoplasms in this item.
Code 1 for embolization using alcohol as an embolizing agent.
Code 1 for embolization to a site other than the liver where the embolizing agent is unknown.
Code 1 for PUFA (psoralen and long-wave ultraviolet radiation)
Do not code pre-surgical embolization given to shrink the tumor.
Code 8 if it is known that a physician recommended treatment coded as Other Treatment, and no further documentation is available yet to confirm its administration.
Code 8 to indicate referral to a specialist for Other Treatment; the registry should follow. If follow-up with the specialist or facility determines the patient was never there, code 0.
CoC cancer programs are required to identify treatment their patients received from all sources. Other treatment may have been given by any facility, or multiple facilities, not limited to the one whose report is included in this file. This refers to the first use of other treatment for the cancer by any facility.
All cancer treatment was coded in other treatment fields (surgery, radiation, systemic therapy). Patient received no cancer treatment. Diagnosed at autopsy.
Cancer treatment that cannot be appropriately assigned to specified treatment data items (surgery, radiation, systemic). Use this code for treatment unique to hematopoietic diseases.
Other-Experimental
This code is not defined. It may be used to record participation in institution-based clinical trials.
Other-Double Blind
A patient is involved in a double-blind clinical trial. Code the treatment actually administered when the double-blind trial code is broken.
Other-Unproven
Cancer treatments administered by nonmedical personnel.
Other treatment was not administered. It was recommended by the patient's physician, but this treatment (which would have been coded 1, 2, or 3) was refused by the patient, a patient's family member, or the patient's guardian. The refusal was noted in the patient record.
Recommended; unknown if administered
Other treatment was recommended, but it is unknown whether it was administered.
It is unknown whether other treatment was recommended or administered, and there is no information in the medical record to confirm the recommendation or administration of other treatment. Death certificate only.
DX_OTHER_STARTED_DAYS
The number of days between the date of diagnosis (NAACCR Item #390) and the date on which Other Treatment at any facility was started (NAACCR Item #1250).
CoC cancer programs are required to identify treatment their patients received from all sources. This treatment may have been given by any facility, or multiple facilities, not limited to the one whose report is included in this file. This refers to the first given for the cancer by any facility.
Other therapy not administered, other therapy unknown, or cannot compute elapsed days due to missing or incomplete dates
PALLIATIVE_CARE
Identifies any care provided in an effort to palliate or alleviate symptoms. Palliative care is performed to relieve symptoms and may include surgery, radiation therapy, systemic therapy (chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or other systemic drugs), and/or other pain management therapy.
Surgical procedures, radiation therapy, or systemic therapy provided to prolong the patient's life by controlling symptoms, to alleviate pain, or to make the patient comfortable should be coded palliative care and as first course therapy if that procedure removes or modifies either primary or metastatic malignant tissue.
Palliative care is not used to diagnose or stage the primary tumor.
No palliative care provided. Diagnosed at autopsy.
Surgery (which may involve a bypass procedure) to alleviate symptoms, but no attempt to diagnose, stage, or treat the primary tumor is made.
Radiation therapy to alleviate symptoms, but no attempt to diagnose, stage, or treat the primary tumor is made.
Chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or other systemic drugs to alleviate symptoms, but no attempt to diagnose, stage, or treat the primary tumor is made.
Patient received or was referred for pain management therapy with no other palliative care.
Any combination of codes 1, 2, and/or 3 without code 4.
Any combination of codes 1, 2, and/or 3 with code 4.
Palliative care was performed or referred, but no information on the type of procedure is available in the patient record. Palliative care was provided that does not fit the descriptions for codes 1–6.
It is unknown if palliative care was performed or referred; not stated in patient record.
This data item can be used to distinguish a treatment modality given for curative treatment from the same modality being used strictly for palliation. This item was added to FORDS in 2003.
If patients are admitted to a hospital for palliative care other than surgery, radiation or systemic treatment, the record often does not indicate the underlying reason for the procedure (for example, other forms of pain care). Therefore, when the initial care was elsewhere and the care was not one of these three modalities, it is unlikely the care will be reported in this data item.
PUF_30_DAY_MORT_CD
This item indicates mortality within 30 days of the most definitive primary site surgery.
The computation was based on the Date of Most Definitive Surgical Resection of the Primary Site (NAACCR Item #3170) if that is known. Otherwise, it was based on the Date of the First Surgical Procedure (NAACCR Item #1200). In either case, the Date of Last Contact or Death (NAACCR Item #1750) was subtracted from the surgery date and patient Vital Status (NAACCR Item #1760) indicated whether the latter date referred to contact or death. Eligible cases are limited to Surgical Procedure of the Primary Site codes 20-90 (NAACCR Item #1290). Thirty Day Mortality is blank for patients diagnosed in 2014. Investigators analyzing surgical mortality at the facility level must use the Surgery of the Primary Site at this Facility variable (item RX_HOSP_SURG_PRIM_SITE) to determine if the surgery was performed at the facility included in the PUF data. See the Getting Started document for more information.
0 Patient alive, or died more than 30 days after surgery performed
1 Patient died 30 or fewer days after surgery performed
9 Patient alive with fewer than 30 days of follow-up, surgery date missing, or last contact date missing
blank Not eligible; surgical resection unknown or not performed, or diagnosed in 2014
This item indicates mortality within 90 days after the most definitive primary site surgery.
The computation was based on the Date of Most Definitive Surgical Resection of the Primary Site (NAACCR #3170) if that was known. Otherwise, it was based on the Date of First Surgical Procedure (NAACCR Item #1200). In either case, the Date of Last Contact or Death (NAACCR Item #1750) was subtracted from the surgery date and patient Vital Status (NAACCR Item #1760) indicated whether the latter date referred to contact or death. Eligible cases are limited to Surgical Procedure of the Primary Site codes 20-90 (NAACCR Item #1290). Ninety Day Mortality is blank for patients diagnosed in 2014. Investigators analyzing surgical mortality at the facility level must use the Surgery of the Primary Site at this Facility variable (item RX_HOSP_SURG_PRIM_SITE) to determine if the surgery was performed at the facility included in the PUF data. See the Getting Started document for more information.
DX_LASTCONTACT_DEATH_MONTHS
0000.1 – 8887.9, 9999.0
The number of months between the date of diagnosis (NAACCR Item #390) and the date on which the patient was last contacted or died (NAACCR Item #1750).
Months Elapsed is blank for patients diagnosed in 2014. See "Getting Started" for a discussion of survival calculations for patients diagnosed recently.
0000.1 – 8887.9
Number of elapsed months.
Unknown, number of elapsed months can not be computed.
PUF_VITAL_STATUS
Records the vital status of the patient as of the date entered in Date of Last Contact or Death (NAACCR Item #1750), which is the status of the patient at the end of Elapsed Months - Date of Diagnosis to Date of Last Contact or Death in the PUF.
Vital Status is blank for cases diagnosed in 2014. See "Getting Started" for an explanation about calculating survival for cases diagnosed recently.
Vital Status is the only item for which SEER and CoC agreed to retain different codes to mean the same thing. For historic reasons, SEER uses code 4 for deceased patients while CoC uses 0. All 4s in the CoC database were converted to 0 for the PUF file. There is no Vital Status code for "unknown". Therefore, cases for which the code was not valid are transmitted as blank. They may have been submitted as blanks, 9s, or any other non-defined value. They can be analyzed as "unknown" or omitted from analysis, depending on the needs of the study.
1 Alive