We registrars live in a whirlwind of change. Even our certification exam eligibility is not untouched by modifications. The Commission on Cancer, CoC, standard 5.1, requires approved programs to have a CTR performing the abstraction. Non-credentialed staff have a 3 year grace period from the time of hire to obtain the CTR. Until this is obtained, non-credentialed staff abstraction must be overseen by a CTR. This…
Q&A: Regional Nodes Examined
Q: A patient diagnosed with breast cancer by a core biopsy of a supraclavicular lymph node followed by a mastectomy with seven axillary lymph nodes removed. How do you code regional nodes examined, 07 or 08? A: Code 08, per CS general instructions if the positive aspiration or core biopsy is from a node in a “different” node region, include the node in the count of…
National Cancer Registrars Week 2015
Celebrate National Cancer Registrars Week – April 6 – 10, 2015 beacon (also known as Certified Tumor Registrar) noun bea·con ˈbē-kən CTR a strong light that can be seen from far away and that is used to help guide ships, airplanes, etc. a radio signal that is broadcast to help guide ships, airplanes, etc. someone or something (such as a country) that guides…
Q&A: AJCC Category
Q: What is the clinical and pathologic stage of a carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the breast where the pathologic criteria has been met – patient underwent a breast lumpectomy. A: cT blank, cN0, cM0 clinical stage group 0, PTis, pN blank, pM blank pathologic stage group 0 Per AJCC general instructions page 12, carcinoma in situ is an exception to the stage grouping guidelines. By…