Self Instructional Manual for Cancer Registrars - SEER - National ...

Example E4 can be abstracted as follows:
12/31/91 Ultrasound: Mass lesion, superior and posterior portion of left kidney,
not cystic. Right kidney WNL.
Comment:
WNL means within normal limits.
MAMMOGRAPHY:
Mammography is a technique for the detection of breast cancer. In this procedure, several x-ray
views are taken of one or both breasts and the radiographs are examined for the presence of a
lesion. When a lesion is detected, the radiologist often can determine quite accurately whether
it is malignant or benign. Mammography is important because very small, early cancers can be
diagnosed with this technique before they are large enough to palpate. Mammograms of the
opposite breast should be recorded as well as those of the involved breast. The findings of a
mammographic examination will be reported on an x-ray report such as Example E5 shown on the
next page. Abstract what you think is pertinent and then compare with the suggested abstraction
on page 53.
XERORADIOGRAPHY:
Xeroradiography, a product of Xerox Corporation, has been known since 1950. The xerographic
process is another way of doing mammographic examinations. Its merit is in its greater precision
in outlining boundaries of masses and detecting fine calcification often seen in occult neoplasms.
In xeroradiography, the x-rays are developed using the same image-producing process as the Xerox
office copier machines. The xeroradiography machine can produce either a positive or negative
picture on specially coated white paper that can be read in any light.
Today, xeroradiography is used for x-rays of the skull, limbs (feet, arms, legs), and breast as well
as for cervical spinal examination. Also, it can be used for locating foreign objects (wood, glass
or metal splinters) in the eye or other parts of the body.
49