Organization

Field Name

ID

Required

KCR

Num Treatments This Volume (RadNumTreat)

50360

no

NAACCR

Rad--No of Treatment Vol

1520

no


Field Length: 3

Description

Records the total number of treatment sessions (fractions) administered during the first course of treatment. It is an optional field and it is only required for data entry to ACoS flagged hospitals.

Rationale

This data item is used to evaluate patterns of radiation therapy and the treatment schedules.

Instructions for Coding

  • The number of treatments or fractions will typically be found in the radiation oncologist’s summary letter for the first course of treatment. Determination of the exact number of treatments or fractions delivered to the patient may require assistance from the radiation oncologist for consistent coding.

  • Although a treatment session may include several treatment portals delivered within relatively confined period of time - usually a few minutes - it is still considered one session.

  • The total number of treatment sessions (fractions) is the sum of the number of fractions of regional treatment and the number of fractions of boost treatment.

Code

Label

Description

000

None

Radiation therapy was not administered to the patient.  Diagnosed at autopsy.

001-998

Number of Treatments

Total number of treatment sessions administered to the patient.

999

Unknown

Radiation therapy was administered, but the number of treatments is unknown.  Or, it is unknown whether radiation therapy was administered.  Death certificate only.  

Examples:

  • 025 - A patient with breast carcinoma had treatment sessions in which treatment was delivered to the chest wall and separately to the ipsilateral supraclavicular region for a total of three treatment portals. Twenty-five treatment sessions were given. Record 25 treatments.
  • 035 - A patient with Stage IIIB bronchogenic carcinoma received 25 treatments to the left hilum and mediastinum, given in 25 daily treatments over five weeks. A left hilar boost was then given in 10 additional treatments. Record 35 treatments.
  • 050 - A patient with advanced head and neck cancer was treated using "hyperfractionation." Three fields were delivered in each session, two sessions were given each day, six hours apart, with each session delivering a total dose of 150 cGy. Treatment was given for a total of 25 days. Record 50 treatments.