CTR Abstracting & Coding 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When abstracting a case with multiple primaries, which SEER rule determines whether two tumors in the same site are counted as one or two primaries?
- The rule of two-thirds
- The Multiple Primary and Histology (MP/H) rules (Correct answer)
- The AJCC staging guidelines
- The ICD-O-3 topography rules
Correct answer: The Multiple Primary and Histology (MP/H) rules
SEER's Multiple Primary and Histology (MP/H) rules govern whether tumors at the same site constitute one or multiple primaries.
Question 2: Which ICD-O-3 behavior code indicates an in-situ neoplasm?
- /0
- /1
- /2 (Correct answer)
- /3
Correct answer: /2
ICD-O-3 behavior code /2 denotes carcinoma in situ, meaning the tumor has not invaded surrounding tissue.
Question 3: A patient is diagnosed with lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) of the breast. Under current SEER guidelines, how should this be handled?
- Abstract as a reportable malignancy with behavior /3
- Do not report; LCIS is not reportable under SEER (Correct answer)
- Report as a benign neoplasm with behavior /0
- Report only if the patient later develops invasive cancer
Correct answer: Do not report; LCIS is not reportable under SEER
LCIS is no longer considered a reportable malignancy under SEER guidelines because it is regarded as a risk factor, not a true in-situ cancer.
Question 4: When coding the histology of a tumor described as 'poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma,' which grade code is assigned?
- Grade 1
- Grade 2
- Grade 3 (Correct answer)
- Grade 4
Correct answer: Grade 3
Poorly differentiated tumors are assigned Grade 3 in the standard four-tier grading system used in cancer registries.
Question 5: Which field is used to record the first course of treatment that was planned and/or administered to the patient?
- Subsequent treatment
- First course of treatment (Correct answer)
- Palliative care sequence
- Salvage therapy field
Correct answer: First course of treatment
The 'first course of treatment' field captures all planned and administered treatment from diagnosis through the initial treatment plan.
Question 6: A pathology report describes a tumor as 'transitional cell carcinoma.' What is the preferred ICD-O-3 histology code?
- 8000/3
- 8010/3
- 8120/3 (Correct answer)
- 8140/3
Correct answer: 8120/3
Transitional cell carcinoma (also called urothelial carcinoma) is coded 8120/3 in ICD-O-3.
Question 7: Under CoC standards, what is the required turnaround time for completing an abstract after the patient's first contact at the facility?
- 30 days
- 60 days
- 6 months (Correct answer)
- 12 months
Correct 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.
CTR Abstracting & Coding 2
When abstracting a case with multiple primaries, which SEER rule determines whether two tumors in the same site are counted as one or two primaries?