Records the dominant modality of radiation therapy used to deliver the clinically most significant regional dose to the primary volume of interest during the first course of treatment.
Radiation treatment frequently is delivered in two or more phases that can be summarized as regional and boost treatments. To evaluate patterns of radiation oncology care, it is necessary to know which radiation resources were employed in the delivery of therapy. For outcomes analysis, the modalities used for each of these phases can be very important.
Note: For tumors diagnosed prior to January 1, 2003, the codes reported in this data item describe any radiation administered to the patient as part or all of the first course of therapy.
*Codes 80 and 85 describe specific converted descriptions of radiation therapy coded according to
Volume II ROADS, and DAM rules and should only be used to record regional radiation for tumors diagnosed prior to January 1, 2003.