Use of SEER*Rx and Drugs Changing Categories

DSQC #2005-05

CLARIFICATION

EFFECTIVE: Cases Diagnosed January 1, 2005 Forward

For cases diagnosed 1/1/2005 forward, registrars must use SEER*Rx, for coding systemic treatment (i.e. chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and immunotherapy). SEER*Rx is the downloadable, interactive antineoplastic drug database that replaces SEER Self-Instructional Manual Book 8, Antineoplastic Drugs.  SEER*Rx can be downloaded from .

Since Book 8, the categories for a few drugs have changed from immunotherapy to cytostatic chemotherapy.  Registrars will need to make appropriate corrections in their databases for any cases diagnosed 1/1/2005 forward in which a drug changed categories.  To assist registrars in identifying these drugs, attached is a SEER SINQ entry, listing the drugs that changed categories from immunotherapy to cytostatic chemotherapy.  There were no drugs that changed categories from chemotherapy to immunotherapy. 

For cases diagnosed prior to 1/1/2005, registrars may use SEER*Rx if they wish.  Registrars do not need to change or correct the drugs that switched categories for cases diagnosed prior to 1/1/2005. 

In accordance with the Visual Editing Guidelines, discrepancies resulting from this new information will not be counted for one month (30 days) after statewide distribution. The Date Completed on the abstract will be the date the visual editor will use to calculate the 30-day time frame. Discrepancies will not be counted in which drugs shifted categories for cases with a Date Completed prior to December 31, 2005, or for any cases diagnosed prior to January 1, 2005.