Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR) Practice Exam

What type of source are pathology reports classified as?

1. Casefinding

2. Clinical records

3. Population studies

4. Quality control

The correct answer is: Casefinding

Pathology reports are classified as a casefinding source because they are essential documents that provide critical information about newly diagnosed cancers. Casefinding refers to the systematic process of identifying and collecting data on cases of cancer for the purpose of registration and monitoring. Pathology reports typically contain details about the tumor, such as its type, grade, and stage, which are vital for accurate cancer registry. Casefinding sources, like pathology reports, are used to capture data from various locations where cancer diagnoses are made, ensuring that all relevant cases are counted in cancer registries. This classification is important as it underlines the role of pathology reports in the initial identification and documentation of cancer cases, making them a primary source of accurate cancer data. In contrast, clinical records refer to a broader set of documents generated during patient care, population studies involve research examining groups of individuals, and quality control focuses on evaluating processes and outcomes to ensure that data collected meets specific standards. Thus, these options do not accurately reflect the specific function and classification of pathology reports within the context of cancer casefinding.