What should SEER facilities code Modality to when a patient is in a first untreated phase?

In the context of coding for the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program, the correct coding for the Modality when a patient is in a first untreated phase is 00. This code is used specifically to indicate that there is no treatment being provided at the time of coding.

The code 00 signifies that the patient has not received any prior treatment as it relates to the current encounter or phase of care. This is critical for accurately capturing the treatment history and the status of the patient, which helps in the quality of data collected, as it provides a clear picture of the patient's treatment timeline and can influence treatment planning and outcomes.

The use of this code allows for standardization in data reporting and ensures that clinicians and researchers can track and compare treatment strategies effectively. When coding, it is crucial to reflect the patient's true status regarding treatment to maintain data integrity within the SEER database.