Instructional Goals

In this training module, users will learn some important information regarding the change in brain and CNS tumor data collection: non-malignant brain tumor reporting will be required nationally for cases diagnosed January 1, 2004 and later. Users will learn the rationale for this change, the impact on those who are involved in cancer surveillance and registration, and the methods of coding and abstracting non-malignant brain tumor cases.

Users will also be introduced to some basic information about brain cancer in general: statistics related to brain and CNS cancer, anatomy of the brain and Central Nervous System, types of brain cancer, risk factors, and treatment methods. However, the main focus of this module is on data collection of non-malignant brain and CNS tumors.

Finally, three sets of hands-on exercises are provided so users may practice what they have learned from this module.

Instructional Objectives

After completing the content of the module, users will be able to:

• understand the rationale for collection of data regarding non-malignant brain and CNS tumors;
• determine the reportability of brain tumor cases based on the information provided in medical records;
• code site and histology of brain tumor cases;
• code multiple primaries, diagnostic date, sequence number, laterality, Collaborative Stage, and treatment.