21887-5

LOINC code 21887-5 identifies "SEER summary stage 1977 Cancer". Code for summary stage at the initial diagnosis or treatment of the reportable tumor. This has traditionally been used by central registries to monitor time trends. For hospital registries, COC requires its use in the absence of a defined AJCC classification. For site-specific definitions of categories, see the SEER Summary Staging Guide. SEER Summary Stage 1977 is limited to information available within 2 months of the date of diagnosis. NAACCR approved extension of this time period to 4 months for prostate tumors diagnosed beginning January 1, 1995. Stage information is important when evaluating the effects of cancer control programs. It is crucial for understanding whether changes over time in incidence rates or outcomes are due to earlier detection of the cancers. In addition, cancer treatment cannot be studied without knowing the stage at diagnosis. To study historical trends in stage, the coding system must be relatively unchanged (stable) over time. AJCC's TNM system is updated periodically to maintain clinical relevance with changes in diagnosis and treatment. The surveillance registries often rely on the Summary Stage, which they consider to be more "stable." Summary Stage has been in widespread use, either as the primary staging scheme or a secondary scheme, in most central and hospital registries since 1977... NAACCR Data Standards and Data Dictionary Version 11

This code measures SEER summary stage 1977 in Cancer.XXX. It belongs to the TUMRRGT class in the LOINC classification.

LOINC (Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes) is a universal standard for identifying laboratory and clinical observations. It is maintained by the Regenstrief Institute and used worldwide for health data exchange.