Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR) Practice Exam

A patient had an infiltrating ductal carcinoma diagnosed after a breast core biopsy not performed at the reporting facility. What is the class of case code for the reporting facility?

1. 12

2. 13

3. 22

4. 43

The correct answer is: 22

In the context of tumor reporting, the classification of cases is essential for maintaining accurate and comprehensive cancer registries. The correct class of case code for an infiltrating ductal carcinoma diagnosed after a breast core biopsy at a facility other than the reporting facility is classified as 22. Class 22 refers to cases where "an invasive malignancy was diagnosed and/or treated at this facility after diagnosis elsewhere." This recognizes that the patient’s malignancy was initially identified by a biopsy performed elsewhere, yet the subsequent treatment or additional care is taking place at the reporting facility, which is critical for registry purposes. The other classes do not accurately reflect this scenario: Class 12 denotes cases diagnosed and treated at the reporting facility, Class 13 refers to cases diagnosed at the reporting facility but treated elsewhere, and Class 43 indicates cases that were not initially diagnosed as malignancies at the reporting facility. The distinction is important for tracking the course of care and ensuring the accurate collection of cancer incidence data.