Surgical Approach (ROADS)

Field Length:  1

This data field applies only to cancers diagnosed before 2003. Collection of this data item was discontinued as of 1/1/2003 with FORDS implementation.

"Surgical Approach" describes the method used to approach the organ of origin and/or primary tumor. Code the approach for surgical treatments of the primary site only. If no definitive surgical procedure at the primary site was done ("Surgery of Primary Site" is coded 00), "Surgical Approach" must be coded 0.

"Endoscopy, image guided" is a generic term for guidance provided by any imaging technique include, but not limited to, CT scans, MRI scans, ultrasound, or radiographic imaging.

"Open" is a generic term describing all non-scope approaches. Procedures for which "Surgical Approach" would be coded open include, but are not limited to, mastectomy; excision of a melanoma of the skin; glossectomy.

"Open, assisted by endoscopy" means that the scope is being used (present in the body) at the same time the primary tumor is resected. DO NOT CODE a procedure as assisted by endoscopy when the scope is used and removed prior to the resection or when it is inserted and used after the resection of the primary tumor.

Example: Patient with lung cancer is taken to the surgical suite. A bronchoscopy and mediastinoscopy are done to evaluate whether the lesion is resectable. The scopes are removed before the surgeon performs a wedge resection. Code "Surgical Approach" open, NOT assisted by endoscopy.

The codes for surgical approach when Therapy type = S are site specific and they are contained in Appendix G Surgical Codes-ROADS.