Cancer Registry Data Collection Flashcards

Which organization publishes the STORE manual used as the standard reference for cancer registry data collection in the U.S.?

Answer: Commission on Cancer (CoC)

The Commission on Cancer (CoC) publishes the STORE (Standards for Oncology Registry Entry) manual that governs data collection standards for accredited cancer programs.

What is the purpose of a 'case-finding' audit in cancer registry operations?

Answer: To verify that all reportable cases were identified and accessioned

A case-finding audit verifies completeness by checking that every reportable cancer case treated at the facility was identified, preventing missed accessions.

In cancer registry data collection, the term 'abstracting' refers to which activity?

Answer: Extracting and coding required data elements from the medical record

Abstracting is the process of reviewing the medical record and extracting specific coded data elements required by registry standards.

Which ICD-O-3 axis is used to code the histologic type of a cancer?

Answer: Morphology

The morphology axis of ICD-O-3 codes both the histologic cell type and behavior of a neoplasm.

When a patient is diagnosed with cancer at one facility but receives all treatment at another, which facility has the accession responsibility under CoC rules?

Answer: Both facilities must accession the case

Under CoC standards, both the diagnosing facility and the treating facility are required to accession and abstract the case independently.

What does the behavior code '/3' signify in ICD-O-3 morphology coding?

Answer: Malignant, primary site

In ICD-O-3, the behavior code /3 indicates a malignant neoplasm at the primary site.

Which data element describes how far a cancer has spread at the time of diagnosis and is required by virtually all U.S. registry reporting standards?

Answer: AJCC stage or summary stage

Stage at diagnosis — recorded as AJCC TNM stage or Collaborative Stage/Summary Stage — is a required data element that indicates extent of disease spread.