Mixed Deck — All CTR Topics Flashcards

Which data item in the NAACCR record layout captures the ICD-O-3 histology morphology code along with its behavior digit?

Answer: Histologic Type ICD-O-3 (Item #522)

NAACCR Item #522 (Histologic Type ICD-O-3) records the 4-digit morphology code, and Item #523 captures the behavior digit.

If surgery is performed at a reporting facility but radiation therapy is given at another facility, how should treatment be abstracted?

Answer: Abstract all treatment received, regardless of facility

STORE guidelines require abstractors to capture all first-course treatment regardless of where it was administered.

What is the purpose of the NAACCR Call for Data in the context of data quality?

Answer: To collect standardized, quality-checked data from state registries for national analytic databases

The NAACCR Call for Data is an annual request for standardized submissions to build national datasets, requiring data that has passed quality edits.

When a patient diagnosed with cancer is seen at a CoC-accredited facility only for a single consultation with no treatment rendered, the case is classified as:

Answer: Non-analytic — Class of Case 30

A patient seen for consultation only with no treatment at the facility is classified as non-analytic Class of Case 30.

Under SEER guidelines, the follow-up interval for a patient diagnosed with cancer is measured from:

Answer: Date of diagnosis to the date of last contact or death

SEER measures the follow-up interval from the date of diagnosis to the date of last contact or death, which forms the basis for survival calculations.

A pathology report describes a tumor as 'poorly differentiated.' What does this indicate to the tumor registrar?

Answer: The tumor cells bear little resemblance to normal tissue and tend to be aggressive

Poorly differentiated (high-grade) tumors have cells that look very abnormal under the microscope, correlating with more aggressive behavior and typically worse prognosis.

In AJCC 8th edition staging for colorectal cancer, which N category indicates metastasis in 7 or more regional lymph nodes?

Answer: N2b

N2b in AJCC 8th edition colorectal staging indicates metastasis in 7 or more regional lymph nodes.

What is the primary purpose of the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR)?

Answer: To set data standards and certify central cancer registries in North America

NAACCR develops and promotes uniform data standards, certifies central registries for data quality, and facilitates data sharing across U.S. and Canadian registries.

A patient's follow-up status is coded 'lost to follow-up.' Which condition best defines this status?

Answer: Patient cannot be located after exhausting all available tracing resources

Lost to follow-up means all reasonable tracing efforts have been exhausted without establishing contact or determining vital status.

What is the PRIMARY purpose of continuing education requirements in Confidentiality & Data Security for CTR professionals?

Answer: Maintaining current knowledge and competency as the field evolves

Continuing education in Confidentiality & Data Security ensures professionals maintain current knowledge and skills as standards, technologies, and best practices evolve in the Certified Tumor Registrar field.

What minimum follow-up rate does NPCR recommend for reporting survival statistics?

Answer: 90%

NPCR and SEER recommend a minimum 90% follow-up rate to ensure survival statistics are reliable and representative.

A cancer registry receives a subpoena requesting identifiable patient records. What is the MOST appropriate first step?

Answer: Notify and consult with the facility's legal counsel before releasing any records

When served with a subpoena, the registrar should consult legal counsel to determine whether the request is valid and whether a court order or patient authorization is required.

When a cancer registry performs a casefinding sweep of death certificates, what is the primary goal related to follow-up?

Answer: Update vital status of existing registry cases to deceased

Death certificate sweeps allow registries to update the vital status of previously registered patients who have since died.

When a cancer registry shares data with an external researcher under a data use agreement, the DUA must specify which of the following?

Answer: Permitted uses of the data and required safeguards

A data use agreement must define the permitted uses and disclosures of the limited data set and required safeguards to protect it.

Under NPCR standards, what minimum case completeness percentage must a state cancer registry achieve to be considered complete for publication in national statistics?

Answer: 90%

NPCR and NAACCR set 90% case completeness as the threshold for inclusion in national incidence statistics.

Which coding system provides the primary framework for staging pediatric solid tumors such as Wilms tumor and neuroblastoma in the United States?

Answer: COG/INRG staging systems

Pediatric solid tumors like Wilms tumor use Children's Oncology Group (COG) and International staging systems (e.g., INRG for neuroblastoma), not AJCC TNM.

A registrar is conducting a virtual meeting and shares their screen, which displays an open case with patient identifiers. This MOST likely violates which HIPAA safeguard category?

Answer: Administrative safeguards

Policies and procedures governing how employees handle and display PHI during meetings fall under administrative safeguards.

Which department is considered a SECONDARY source for casefinding in a hospital-based cancer registry?

Answer: Emergency Department

Emergency departments are secondary sources because cancer diagnoses are rarely made there; pathology, radiology, and surgery are primary sources.

Which field captures the method by which the cancer diagnosis was confirmed?

Answer: Basis of diagnosis

The 'basis of diagnosis' field records the most definitive method used to confirm the cancer diagnosis, such as histology, cytology, or clinical diagnosis.

Under CoC standards, what is the required turnaround time for completing an abstract after the patient's first contact at the facility?

Answer: 6 months

The Commission on Cancer requires that abstracts be completed within 6 months of a patient's first contact at the reporting facility.