Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR) Practice Exam

Who is the United States authority on Tumor-Node-Metastasis staging?

1. American Cancer Society

2. National Comprehensive Cancer Network

3. American College of Surgeons

4. American Joint Committee on Cancer

The correct answer is: American Joint Committee on Cancer

The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) is recognized as the authoritative body for the Tumor-Node-Metastasis (TNM) staging system in the United States. Established in 1932, the AJCC plays a crucial role in cancer staging, which is vital for treatment planning and prognosis. The TNM system, developed by the AJCC, provides a standardized way to classify the extent of cancer in a patient, ensuring that healthcare professionals can communicate effectively about the disease. The AJCC's staging guidelines are frequently updated to reflect new research and methodologies, allowing for a more accurate assessment of cancer and its progression. This authority supports a uniform approach across various healthcare settings, which is beneficial for both patient management and clinical trials, facilitating comparisons of outcomes across different research studies. Other organizations mentioned, like the American Cancer Society and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, while significant in their contributions to cancer care and patient education, do not specifically focus on the TNM staging system. The American College of Surgeons is involved in cancer care but also does not hold the designation as the regulatory authority for TNM staging like the AJCC does. Hence, the AJCC stands out as the definitive source for TNM staging in the U.S.