The Informer Newsletter
June 2026 Edition
Welcome
Welcome to The Informer, the monthly essential newsletter for ODS-Cs and aspiring Cancer Registry professionals. Packed with specially curated educational opportunities, industry updates, and practical resources, our goal is to keep you informed and equipped to excel in this vital field. Don’t miss an edition-scroll to the bottom of this page to sign up to receive The Informer directly to your inbox.
Education
California Regional Cancer Registry Symposium
The Cancer Registry of Greater California, in partnership with Sutter Health and the Greater Bay Area Cancer Registry, is presenting “Connecting Data to Care: A Regional Cancer Registry Symposium” on Wednesday, July 16, from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (PT). The agenda will be provided at a later date. There is no cost to register or attend.
This hybrid event will take place at the two locations listed below and will also be streamed virtually. Attendees may earn up to 5.5 continuing education (CE) hours, pending NCRA approval. Both locations will offer in-person CEUs.
Registration is required for attendance and must be completed by Wednesday, July 1. Each attendee must register individually.
Sacramento – Live Speaker Presentation
2800 Gateway Oaks Dr, Sacramento, CA 95833
Sunnyvale – Simulcast Viewing Location
301 Old San Francisco Rd, Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Cancer surveillance community announcements
Approved changes to the 2027 NAACCR Data Standards
The High-Level Strategic Group (HLSG) recently voted on changes to the NAACCR Data Standards and Data Dictionary made by the Mid-Level Tactical Group (MLTG). The changes will be implemented beginning with the 2027 diagnosis year (NAACCR v27).
Below are the announced major changes. Other changes, and details regarding the below, will be available in the 2027 NAACCR Implementation Guidelines to be published later this year.
CCR recorded trainings:
- New! 2026 Annual Data Changes
Learn about changes specific to California for 2026 as well as highlights of standard setter changes. Some CCR Coding reminders are also included as a bonus! The course can be accessed in FLccSC under the course category “CCR Educational Training 2026”. Approved for 0.75 NCRA CEs (0.5 Category A).
- Still Available - 2025 Annual Data Changes
Enroll by 4/27/26 and receive FREE CEs!
- CCR Volume 1 Restructure
This 10-minute tutorial guides you through the changes to CCR 2025-Volume 1. Learn about the specific changes and how the Volume is now organized.
New/revised SSDIs:
- New Thoracic Nodal Stations
- New SSDIs for minor salivary gland & rectal tumor locations
- Microsatellite Instability (added Kidney)
- Mitotic Rate & Ulceration (added Melanoma Conjunctiva)
- Reinstatement of HER2 IHC/ISH with minor revisions
- Revisions to High-Risk Cytogenetics
Other changes:
- Changes to Cancer Status & Recurrence
- Removing restrictions on Secondary Diagnosis codes
- Simplifying Class of Case by removing codes 11 & 12
- Simplifying Diagnostic Confirmation by removing code 3
QA knowledge challenge
Abstracting
Patient with bone pain has imaging showing a single bone abnormality in the iliac crest. Bone biopsy is positive for plasmacytoma. The patient also has lab tests that show an M-spike (SPEP), hypercalcemia, anemia, and renal insufficiency. No bone marrow biopsy is performed. The physician states in clinic notes, “Solitary plasmacytoma/multiple myeloma based on laboratory tests.”
How is Diagnostic Confirmation coded?
A. 1
B. 3
C. 5
D. 8
Your Next Step in Cancer Registry
At Savista, we’re committed to supporting your growth in the Cancer Registry field. Whether you’re looking to expand your skills or take the next step in your career, we’re here to help. Explore our open registry positions and join a team dedicated to advancing cancer data excellence.
QA knowledge challenge answer:
C. 5; This scenario was submitted to Ask a SEER Registrar. Their response was to assign “Code 5 since the final diagnosis is plasma cell myeloma and was based on lab testing. There was no histological confirmation of multiple myeloma.”
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