V.6.3.6 TNM Staged By – Pathologic Stage

This field identifies the person(s) who assigned the pathologic TNM staging items and stage group on the case.

NOTE: This data item has expanded to two characters and is required for cases diagnosed January 1, 2016 and forward.

This data item is to be used in conjunction with pathologic TNM staging.
If applicable, the staging elements (T, N, and M) as well as the stage group must be recorded.

Exception: Lymphoma does not have TNM elements. Only assigning stage group is applicable.

Record the role of the person who documented the clinical AJCC staging data items and stage group.
Code 00 is used when:

If codes 10-20 are used, then all staging elements (T, N, M, and stage group must be assigned by the same person.
Use Codes 10-40 to assign the role of the person who staged the case, when the stage was assigned outside of the facility. Otherwise, use code 50.
Code 10 is used when the physician who assigned the stage cannot be identified in codes 11-15.

Examples: Dentist, gynecologist, or urologist

Code 30 is used when a physician assigns the T, N, and the registrar determines the M and the stage group from other portions of the record.
Stage source may be different for clinical vs. pathologic stage.

Code	Description
0	Not staged
10	Physician, NOS, or physician type not specified in codes 11-15
11	Surgeon
12	Radiation Oncologist
13	Medical Oncologist
14	Pathologist
15	Multiple Physicians; tumor board; etc.
20	Cancer registrar
30	Cancer registrar and physician
40	Nurse, physician assistant, or other non-physician medical staff
50	Staging assigned at another facility
60	Staging by Central Registry
88	Case not eligible for staging
90	Staged but unknown who assigned stage