Name of the Procedure:

AJCC Stage Documented and Reviewed (ONC)

Summary

The AJCC stage documented and reviewed procedure involves assessing and recording the stage of a patient's cancer based on the guidelines provided by the American Joint Committee on Cancer. This staging helps in determining the extent of cancer spread and is crucial for planning appropriate treatment strategies.

Purpose

• Medical Condition: Diagnoses and stages various types of cancer.
• Expected Outcomes: Accurately determines the stage of cancer, guiding the treatment plan and predicting the prognosis.

Indications

• Symptoms/Conditions: Suspected or confirmed cancer cases.
• Patient Criteria: Patients diagnosed with cancer requiring staging for treatment planning.

Preparation

• Instructions: Patients may need to provide previous medical records and imaging reports.
• Diagnostic Tests: Pre-procedure imaging studies (e.g., CT scans, MRIs), biopsies, and laboratory tests.

Procedure Description

1. Assessment: Physicians collect detailed clinical and diagnostic information.

2. Staging: Based on the AJCC guidelines, which involve:

   • Tumor size (T)
   • Lymph node involvement (N)
   • Metastasis (M)
3. Documentation: Recording the stage in the patient's medical records.
4. Review: Oncology specialists review the documented stage to ensure accuracy.

• Tools: Medical records, imaging technology, laboratory reports.
• Technology: Computers or electronic health record systems.
• Anesthesia/Sedation: Not applicable.

Duration

Typically takes 1-2 hours, depending on the complexity of the case and availability of required diagnostic information.

Setting

Performed in hospitals, oncology clinics, or specialized cancer treatment centers.

Personnel

• Oncologists
• Radiologists
• Pathologists
• Oncology nurses

Risks and Complications

• Common Risks: Minimal; primarily related to diagnostic tests.
• Rare Risks: Misinterpretation of staging due to incomplete data, leading to improper treatment planning.

Benefits

• Benefits: Accurate cancer staging allows for tailored treatment plans, improving patient outcomes and survival rates.
• Realization: Immediate upon completion and review of the documented stage.

Recovery

• Post-Procedure Care: Not applicable.
• Recovery Time: Immediate return to regular activities.
• Restrictions/Follow-up: Follow-up appointments for treatment planning as recommended by the oncology team.

Alternatives

• Other Options: Alternative diagnostic staging systems.
• Pros/Cons: AJCC staging is considered a standard because of its comprehensive and widely accepted criteria, whereas alternatives may lack uniformity.

Patient Experience

• During Procedure: No discomfort as it is primarily review-based.
• After Procedure: Clear understanding of cancer stage and subsequent treatment plan.
• Pain Management: Not applicable, as the procedure is non-invasive.