What should Non-SEER facilities code the Phase I Volume to when a patient has no treatment?

When coding Phase I Volume for non-SEER facilities where a patient has not received any treatment, the appropriate code is indeed 00. This code signifies that there was no treatment administered and is essential for accurately representing the patient's treatment history in data reporting and registries.

Understanding Phase I Volume is important as it helps in tracking clinical trial participation and outcomes. Specifically, using the code 00 indicates that the patient has not been involved in any treatment phase, which is crucial for data integrity and descriptive analytics in oncology care. It allows for proper grouping of data when evaluating the effectiveness of treatments and understanding patient pathways.

In contrast, other codes like 01, 99, and 02 would not accurately reflect the absence of treatment. These numbers typically represent other statuses or participation that imply some level of treatment or involvement, which would not be appropriate in a scenario where a patient has received no treatment at all. This precision in coding ensures that data collected can be relied upon in clinical research and cancer statistics.