GATRA Connection The Newsletter of the Georgia Tumor Registrars Association Summer 2005 Things I Learned in Louisiana 7. They named the following session ...and other thoughts especially for me - ‘Survival Data Analysis for the Biostatistically Impaired’. We took a Anita Weeks, CTR look at calculating survival data and how to present the information. While maybe not As the recipient of last year’s GATRA as enjoyable to some as others, if presented scholarship to the National Cancer in the right manner, it can make the largest Registrar’s Association annual Educational impact as far as showing what all of the fuss Conference, it was requested that I write an is about over what goes on in the cancer article on the session that I enjoyed the registry and database. most while in New Orleans. Well, it’s just 6. Of special interest to me was the not possible...to pick one favorite session, session on hereditary breast cancer and who that is. I was absolutely amazed at the might be "wearing the right genes”, along selection of topics and qualifications and with advancement in testing and preventive experience of the speakers. measures. 5. Did you know that CoC surveyors are You know where I come from - a registrar in tested and graded (so to speak) out in the a smaller hospital - and I wonder from time field? And that there are profiles of each to time if there’s a bigger world out there surveyor on the website with their that realizes the purpose and extent of what background information? While it may not Tumor Registrars do. This trip was such a clue you in to their favorite breakfast food, if rewarding “adventure”, and all I can do is to might give you an idea as to the areas in recap some of the highlights (in my opinion) which they might be the most interested. for those of you not in attendance. Here are (continued on page 12) my Top 10 Things Discussed at the Annual NCRA Conference: Inside this Issue Things I Learned in Louisiana .......................1 10. Results of past CoC special studies 2005 GATRA Executive Board including rectal cancer, breast cancer with Contact Information ......................................2 breast-conserving surgery, and prostate How Did YOU Celebrate National Cancer cancer. 2005 studies will include Registrars Week? ...........................................3 glioblastoma multiforme and GATRA Bylaws Review ..................................3 nasopharyngeal. Also to come will be lung, Abstracting Thyroid Carcinoma Tumors.......3 esophageal, and other studies on breast. Is There a CTR Exam in Your Future?...........5 (Can you tell that I don’t get out much?) Ways and Means Update ...............................6 9. In your efforts to make your data as The Inquiring Mind .......................................7 clean as possible, don’t forget the Humor Corner................................................9 importance of the various edit programs GATRA State Raffle Basket a Big Hit at that are both helpful and user-friendly. NCRA!............................................................9 8. Choosing, implementing and Encourage Oprah to Spotlight the Cancer presenting results of Patient Care Registry Profession ........................................13 Evaluation studies. GATRA News Notes .......................................13 GATRA Connection Summer 2005 2005 GATRA Executive Board Officers: Name: E-Mail Address: Telephone: President Debbie Chambers [email protected] 478-633-1902 Vice President Anna Muza [email protected] 706-774-8093 President-Elect Betty Gentry [email protected] 478-751-6238 Secretary Anita Weeks [email protected] 912-287-2682 Treasurer Debra Fortier [email protected] 678-442-4194 Treasurer-Elect Patricia Fordham [email protected] 478-633-2353 Immediate Past President Penny Goodell [email protected] 770-443-9660 Committee Chairs: Education Debbie Chambers [email protected] 478-633-1902 Membership Joy Thompson [email protected] 706-675-9270 Public Relations John Cummings [email protected] 678-442-4471 Ways & Means Patricia Fordham [email protected] 478-633-2353 Historian Lori Lindsey [email protected] 706-646-4182 Nominations Jeanie Ray [email protected] 478-633-1226 Elections Jeanie Ray [email protected] 478-633-1226 By-Laws Diane Stapleton [email protected] 770-793-7491 Audit Vacant Liaisons: NCRA Liaison Cheryl Wheeler [email protected] 706-774-8094 GCCR Liaison Betty Gentry [email protected] 478-751-6238 Cancer Control Liaison Carol Crosby [email protected] 229-430-6388 Ad Hoc: GATRA Web site Dolores McCord [email protected] 404-605-3488 Want to help make GATRA an even better organization? Have an idea for an improvement? GET INVOLVED! Volunteers are always welcome to help with the work of the committees listed above - please contact any of the officers or committee chairs listed above for more information. GATRA Connection Summer 2005 Editor: John Cummings, Public Relations Chair ([email protected] / 678-442-4471), Assistant Editors: Daryl Sirard ([email protected] ) & LeRue Schultz ([email protected]) GATRA Connection is the official newsletter of the Georgia Tumor Registrars Association, and is published three times per year (Spring, Summer, and Fall/Winter). Opinions expressed are those of the authors, and are not necessarily those of the Georgia Tumor Registrars Association or the editors of GATRA Connection. Reproduction in whole or in part without the prior consent of the editor is prohibited. GATRA Connection welcomes submissions of articles for publication. All submitted articles are subject to editorial review for appropriateness, format, length, etc. Please send all articles, as well as other correspondence, inquiries, corrections, etc., to the attention of John Cummings, Oncology Data Center, Gwinnett Health System, 1000 Medical Center Blvd., Lawrenceville GA 30045, or to [email protected]. Page 2 GATRA Connection Summer 2005 How Did YOU Celebrate National than September 15, 2005 for consideration Cancer Registrars Week? at this year's annual business meeting, to be held at the Fall Education Conference in Debbie Chambers, CTR - Macon in November. I look forward to your GATRA President responses, and thank you for taking time to be active in your professional association. April 4 - 8, 2005 was National Cancer Registrars Week. I hope each one of you * * * * * * * * * * * * celebrated this event. Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue signed our proclamation on March 10, and I had the honor and pleasure of taking part in the signing ceremony. He was extremely nice, and thanked us for all of the hard work we do every day. We had a busy week here at Medical Center of Central Georgia. Our office made a tri-fold board with pictures of the cancer registrars, the proclamation and descriptions of the varied duties we perform, and we placed the board on the lunch table at that week's Tumor Conference. There was also a big sheet cake with the words "Cancer Registrar's Week" (which the doctors just loved!). Each day of the week our non-registry hospital co- workers gave us a "special gift" to celebrate - a plant, cookies, candles, a picture frame and ice cream. We were really spoiled, but it was really nice for everyone to remember us and the work we do every day. Hope everyone else had a great week! * * * * * * * * * * * * GATRA Bylaws - Call for Review Diane Stapleton, CTR Chair, GATRA Bylaws Committee Attention all members! The association bylaws are always available for review by Abstracting Thyroid Carcinoma you at the GATRA web site - Tumors http://gatraweb.org , in the members section. Since this is your organization, Jack Cunningham, CTR please take the time to become familiar with Oncology Data Specialist, the bylaws, which govern GATRA's Georgia Center for Cancer Statistics activities. I would also ask that you review these bylaws to suggest updates, changes or CAPSULE (CAPSULAR) EXTENSION new amendments for consideration by the Bylaws Committee, and the membership at Upon returning from the SEER Workshop large. Please submit all proposed in New Orleans, I reviewed all 2002 and amendments/ changes to 2003 thyroid cases with EOD-Extension [email protected] by no later Page 3 GATRA Connection Summer 2005 Abstracting Thyroid Carcinoma miscoded and using text given in the Tumors abstracts was recoded to either extension 10 (continued from previous page) or 20. There were 84 such cases with 2003 diagnosis dates and 45 were miscoded. coded to 40 or 50 (invasion of or through Examples of the types of cases I found are: the thyroid capsule) that were in the GCCS/GCCR database. Invasion of the Tumor Capsule This review was initiated by information PATH: Right thyroid lobe: Papillary provided by Dr. Charles Platz, a pathologist thyroid carcinoma with follicular and solid from the University of Iowa, concerning the features, encapsulated with invasion to thyroid capsule. Dr. Platz is one of the tumor capsule, surgical margins negative. medical advisors for the SEER Program and (Correct EOD Ext = 10) has been for many years. A synopsis of his discussion of thyroid is as follows: PATH: 1.0 cm papillary carcinoma, follicular variant. The malignant elements Typically follicular tumors are encapsulated, are focally noted to extend beyond the while papillary and medullary carcinomas capsule into the immediate surrounding may be encapsulated, but most often are non-neoplastic thyroid parenchyma. not, or are only partially so. Encapsulated (Correct EOD Ext =10) tumors present a problem in separation