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Cancer biomarkers: the role of structured data reporting
Ross W Simpson1, Michael A Berman, Philip R Foulis
1From the Department of Pathology, Park Nicollet-Methodist Hospital, St Louis Park, Minnesota (Dr Simpson); the Department of Pathology, Jefferson Regional Medical Center, Jefferson Hills, Pennsylvania (Dr Berman); the University of South Florida Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Tampa (Dr Foulis); the Department of Laboratory Medicine, Grand River Hospital, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada (Dr Divaris); the Department of Pathology, Grady Health System/Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia (Dr Birdsong); Capability & Specialty Advancement, College of American Pathologists, Northfield, Illinois (Drs Mirza, Moldwin, and Spencer); the Laboratory Medicine and Genetics Program, Trillium Health Partners, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada (Dr Srigley); and the Department of Pathology, St Jude Medical Center, Fullerton, California (Dr Fitzgibbons).
Structured electronic cancer checklists improve cancer reporting by standardizing data. This enables better use of cancer biomarker information for pathologists, clinicians, and patients.
Area of Science:
- Pathology informatics
- Cancer reporting systems
Background:
- The College of American Pathologists has developed cancer protocols since 1986.
- Pathology case summaries are now available as structured, computer-readable "electronic cancer checklists."
- Major anatomic pathology software vendors support this model.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail the development and benefits of structured electronic cancer reporting.
- To explain the extension of electronic checklists to cancer biomarkers and reporting.
Main Methods:
- Review of peer-reviewed literature.
- Analysis of internal records from the College of American Pathologists.
Main Results:
- Electronic cancer checklists provide structured data elements for interoperability.
- The model is supported by major anatomic pathology software vendors.
Conclusions:
- Accurate cancer biomarker reporting relies on structured data capture.
- Standardized data elements and terminology facilitate data use by various stakeholders.
- Meaningful use of cancer datasets is enhanced for pathologists, clinicians, tumor registries, and patients.
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