Analytical Case Case diagnosed and/or receiving all or part of the first course of therapy at a facility.
Non-analytical Case
Case diagnosed and receiving the first course of therapy elsewhere prior to the date of referral to the facility; case diagnosed at autopsy.
Accessioned
The number of cancer cases, both analytic and non-analytic, that are ideintified and numbered in the cancer registry.
AJCC Staging Classification
The American Joint Committee on Cancer staging classification.
Biopsy
Removal of a small tissue sample to examine under a microscope for cancer cells.
Histology
The science that deals with the microscopic identification of cells and tissues.
Invasive Cancer
Cancer that has spread beyond the area it developed in to involve adjacent tissues.
Stage of Disease
Extent of disease as determined at the time of the first course of therapy.
Neoplasm
Abnormal tissue growth.
In Situ
Neoplasm fulfills all microscopic criteria for malignancy except invasion.
Localized
Neoplasm appears entirely confined to the organ of origin.
Regional
Neoplasm has spread to adjacent organs or tissues and/or has metastasized to regional lymph nodes.
Distant
Neoplasm has spread beyond adjacent organs or tissues and/or has developed secondary or metastatic tumors, has metastasized to distant lymph nodes or has been determined to be systemic in origin.
Unknown
Stage cannot be determined from the medical record or by the physician.
Treatment
Different modalities (methods) used in the treatment of cancer.
Surgery
Partial or total removal of a tumor (excluding diagnostic biopsy).
Radiation
Treatment with a radioactive beam or non-beam therapy that includes radium implants and radioactive isotopes.
Chemotherapy
Treatment of disease by chemical agents.
Hormone Therapy
Administration of hormones, steroids and endocrine surgery.
Immunotherapy
The use of substances that occur natrurally in the body to assist in fighting disease; also known as B iological response modifier (BRM) therapy.
Other Combinations
Forms of treatment not appropriate to other categories.
No Treatment
Includes cases with no report of definitive treatment.
Tumor
A new growth of tissue with continuing, uncontrolled spread of cells; also called a neoplasm.
