Summary of Changes in Data Specifications

Attachment 3c
Summary of Changes to NPCR CSS Submission Specifications from Diagnosis Year 2011 to 2013

Standard NPCR CSS Report
Modified Submission Practices:
• Birthplace [250] was modified in order to make use of standard codes rather than using
geographic codes used by cancer registries. The Birthplace data item [250] is no longer used by
cancer registries and was electronically converted to populate the new corresponding, more
standard, data items of Birthplace State [252] and Birthplace Country [254].
New Variables:
• Rural-Urban Continuum/Beale Code 2013 [2220]: New Rural-Urban data items are
established every 10 years to reflect population changes identified through the most recent
census and helps researchers investigate geographic correlates of the burden of cancer in the area
of interest.
• Casefinding Source [501]: This variable was added to enable identification of the earliest source
from which information about the cancer case was received at the registry. This data item helps
in prioritizing casefinding activities, identifies reportable cancer cases that were first found
through death certificate linkage or other sources, and assists CDC in monitoring grantees’
casefinding activities.
• RX Summ—Treatment Status [1285]: This variable was added to indicate a summary of
whether treatment was given or not given. This data item eliminates searching each treatment
modality to determine whether treatment was given.
• Regional Nodes Positive [820]: This new data item is necessary for pathologic staging of the
extent of disease at the time of diagnosis, and serves as a quality measure of the pathologic and
surgical evaluation and treatment of the patient.
• Regional Nodes Examined [830]: This variable was added as a quality measure of the
pathologic and surgical evaluation and treatment of the patient.
• Over-ride CS 20 [3769]: This is a new indicator variable used to identify cases where directlyassigned SEER Summary Stage 2000 [759] is recorded in support of CDC's NPCR staging
requirements.

Enhanced NPCR CSS Report
Modified Submission Practices:
• Birthplace [250] was modified in order to make use of standard codes, rather than using
geographic codes used by cancer registries. The Birthplace data item [250] is no longer used by
cancer registries and was electronically converted to populate the new corresponding, more
standard, data items of Birthplace State [252] and Birthplace Country [254].
• Place of Death [1940]] was modified in order to make use of standard codes, rather than using
geographic codes that are only used by cancer registries. The Place of Death [250] data item is
no longer used by cancer registries and was electronically converted to populate the new
corresponding, more standard, data items of Place of Death—State [1942] and Place of
Death—Country [1944].
New Variables:
• CER Over-Ride [9969]: This is a new indicator variables used to indicate records that were
received by NPCR grantees after the close of the CER data collection period, for which the
Enhanced NPCR CSS Report variables are not available.