Practice Test Geeks(CTR) Certified Tumor Registrar Practice Test
← All CTR Flashcard Decks

Staging & Prognostic Factors Flashcards

7 cards from real CTR practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Staging & Prognostic Factors flashcards as text

  1. Which factor defines the difference between AJCC T1a and T1b in non-small cell lung cancer (8th edition)?

    Answer: Tumor size cut-point of 1 cm

    In NSCLC, T1a is ≤1 cm and T1b is >1 cm to ≤2 cm, with size being the distinguishing feature between these two subcategories.

  2. A tumor registrar sees 'pN2(sn)' on a breast cancer report. What does '(sn)' indicate?

    Answer: Staging by sentinel node biopsy

    The suffix '(sn)' denotes that nodal classification was based on sentinel lymph node biopsy rather than full axillary dissection.

  3. In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) staging, which system combines tumor characteristics with liver function (Child-Pugh score)?

    Answer: Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC)

    The BCLC staging system integrates tumor burden, liver function (Child-Pugh), and performance status to guide HCC treatment decisions.

  4. For pancreatic exocrine cancer, which vessel involvement upgrades the tumor to T4 in AJCC 8th edition?

    Answer: Celiac axis or superior mesenteric artery involvement

    Pancreatic T4 is defined by involvement of the celiac axis, common hepatic artery, or superior mesenteric artery, rendering the tumor surgically unresectable.

  5. When should a tumor registrar assign a 'Stage Unknown' rather than 'Unstaged' in SEER summary staging?

    Answer: When enough information exists to stage but details are missing

    'Stage Unknown' is used when sufficient information to assign a SEER stage exists in principle but the specific data needed are not documented in the record.

  6. MSI-H (microsatellite instability-high) status in colorectal cancer is associated with which prognostic and treatment implication?

    Answer: Better prognosis and response to immune checkpoint inhibitors

    MSI-H colorectal cancers have better stage-for-stage prognosis and are highly responsive to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy such as pembrolizumab.

  7. In the context of tumor staging, what is the significance of 'extranodal extension' (ENE) in head and neck cancers?

    Answer: It upgrades regional node involvement to N3b in AJCC 8th edition

    In AJCC 8th edition head and neck cancers, pathologically confirmed extranodal extension upgrades nodal status to N3b, indicating aggressive disease.

How this page was made: written with AI tools and published by Nathan Beja, founder of Practice Test Geeks, who is responsible for its content. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy

Sources & references

Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy

  1. ncra-usa.org — Renewal, eligibility, passing score, retake policy, score release, test dates, time limit, test delivery, fees, registration deadline · verified Oct 2026