Preferred Label : NAACCR ambiguous terminology as basis for diagnosis:Prid:Pt:Cancer.XXX:Nom:;
LOINC status : ACTIVE;
LOINC long common name : NAACCR ambiguous terminology as basis for diagnosis;
LOINC short name : NAACCR Ambiguous Terminology Dx Cancer;
LOINC description : Identifies cases for which an ambiguous term is the most definitive word or phrase
used to establish a cancer diagnosis (i.e., to determine whether or not the case is
reportable). Do not include cases where a definite statement of malignancy is made
within two months following the original/initial diagnosis. (This does not include
the use of ambiguous terminology from cancer screening followed by a positive cancer
confirmation that is follow-up to the screening.) Cases include reportable cancer
diagnoses (by any method including death certificate only and autopsy only) based
only on ambiguous terminology. There is no conclusive diagnosis (positive clinical
diagnosis, pathology, etc.) within two months of the original diagnosis that will
further qualify the ambiguous term (no longer based on ambiguous terminology). Ambiguous
terminology may originate from any source document, such as pathology report, radiology
report, or from a clinical report. This data item is used only when ambiguous terminology
is used to establish diagnosis. It is not used when ambiguous terminology is used
to clarify a primary site, specific histology, histologic group, or stage of disease.
Ambiguous terms that are reportable Apparent(ly) Appears (effective with cases diagnosed
1/1/1998 and later) Comparable with (effective with cases diagnosed 1/1/1998 and later)
Compatible with (effective with cases diagnosed 1/1/1998 and later) Consistent with
Favor(s) Malignant appearing (effective with cases diagnosed 1/1/1998 and later) Most
likely Presumed Probable Suspect(ed) Suspicious (for) Typical (of) Follow-back to
a physician or subsequent readmission (following the initial two month diagnosis period)
may eventually confirm a cancer diagnosis (conclusive cancer diagnosis greater than
two months after date of initial diagnosis that was based on ambiguous terminology).
These cases should be excluded from case selection in research studies and from annual
contact (i.e., follow-up) by registrars. Direct patient contact is not recommended
for these cases. Cases with a reportable cancer diagnosis that has been established
based only on reports that contain ambiguous terminology to describe final diagnostic
findings cannot currently be identified. Multiple surveys have identified a lack of
consensus in the interpretation and use of ambiguous terms across physician specialties.
These cases may or may not have an actual cancer diagnosis based on clinician, radiologist,
and pathologist review. Furthermore, the historical interpretation and use of ambiguous
terms by cancer registrars and registries has not been consistent or compatible with
physician use of these terms. This data item will identify specific primary sites
where the ambiguous terminology is commonly used to describe or establish a cancer
diagnosis. Data collected will be used as the basis for modifications to case inclusion
and reportable rules following complete analysis and impact assessment. This data
item will allow cases to be identified within an analysis file. It will also allow
these cases to be identified and excluded from patient contact studies. .. NAACCR
Data Standards and Data Dictionary Version 11;
Origin ID : 42028-1;
UMLS CUI : C1624110;
Has component
- Has property
- Has scale
- Has system
- Has time aspect
- Part of panel
- Semantic type(s)
