What code is assigned for Death Certificate Only (DCO) cases?

In oncology data collection, Death Certificate Only (DCO) cases refer to instances where a patient's information is solely available through their death certificate, with no additional medical record information to support the diagnosis. The coding for such cases is important for accurate data reporting.

The correct code for DCO cases is Code 9. This designation indicates that there is no hospital or clinical documentation available for the case, and the death certificate is the primary source of information. Assigning Code 9 helps in identifying cases that have limited data, which is essential for cancer registries to maintain accurate statistics. This code is part of the National Cancer Data Base guidelines.

The other codes typically represent different types of data sources or statuses. For instance, Code 0 is often used for cases that were actively treated or reported without complications, while Codes 5 and 7 may indicate various specific statuses regarding the treatment or follow-up of a patient. Understanding these distinctions is crucial in ensuring proper data coding for cancer registries.