It is required by state and federal law that all newly diagnosed cancer cases be reported.

Reporting Cancer Cases

In 1985 the California legislature enacted a law that established the California Cancer Registry (CCR), and since 1987, the California Health and Safety Code, Section 103885 has required hospitals, physicians, and certain other health-care providers to report all new diagnoses of cancer. Beginning January 1, 2001, diagnoses of borderline and benign primary intracranial and central nervous system (CNS) tumors are also reportable, as well as borderline ovarian cancer and certain hematopoietic diseases as described in the CCR Volume IV (Physician Requirements for Cancer Reporting in California).

Physicians must report diagnoses in those patients who do not undergo diagnostic procedures or treatment of their malignancies or brain tumors at a hospital or other cancer reporting facility in California. The Cancer Registry of Greater California (CRGC), operating under the authority of the Department of Public Health (CDPH), has the responsibility for abstracting the required data from the reporting physician’s records. Confidentiality of data collected is strictly maintained in accordance with the Health and Safety Code Sections 100330 and 103885; Civil Code, Sections 56.05 and 1798; Government Code Sections, 6250-6265; and Federal Law PL 104-191.

Reporting Requirements

Cancer diagnoses are reportable as soon as possible but not longer than six months after the date of initial diagnosis.

California Law does not require written or verbal patient consent to report, and specifically exempts physicians from any legal action or damages from meeting their legal obligation to report cancer cases or to provide access to those patient’s medical records.

Reportable Neoplasms

The following diagnoses are required to be reported to the CRGC:

• Invasive and in situ malignancies including leukemia and lymphoma
• Borderline and benign primary intracranial and CNS tumors
• Borderline ovarian tumors
• Chronic Myeloproliferative Diseases:
  • Polycythemia vera
  • Chronic Myeloproliferative disease
  • Myelosclerosis with myeloid metaplasia
  • Essential thrombocythemia
  • Chronic neutrophilic leukemia
  • Hypereosinophilic syndrome
• Myelodysplasia Syndromes:
  • Refractory anemia
  • Refractory anemia with sideroblasts
  • Refractory anemia with excess blast
  • Refractory anemia with excess blast in Transformation
  • Refractory cytopenia with multilineage Dysplasia
  • Myleodysplastic syndrome with 5q-syndrome
  • Therapy-related myleodysplastic syndrome
• Other Reportable Hematopoietic Diagnoses:
  • Langerhans cell histiocytosis, disseminated
  • Acute biphenotypic leukemia
  • Precursor lymphoblastic leukemia
  • Aggressive NK cell leukemia
  • Chronic neutrophilic leukemia
  • Hypereosinophilic syndrome
  • Leukemias with cytogenetic abnormalities
  • Dendritic cell sarcoma

The following malignancies are NOT REPORTABLE:

• Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the skin (unless it is occurring in the genitalia)
• Carcinoma in situ or intraepithelial neoplasia grade III (CIN III) of the cervix

If you are in doubt whether the diagnosis is reportable, submit the report and trained CRGC staff will review the case.

Reporting Cases to the CRGC

To report cases to the CRGC, use the Confidential Physician Cancer Reporting Form.

Also submit with the Confidential Physician Cancer Reporting form the following information:

• Patient Demographics or Face Sheet
  • Please be sure to include Patients Race.  Click here to read about the importance of Race.
• Pathology Reports (biopsy, excision, re-excision)
• Pertinent x-rays or scans
• Treatment information (either provided by yourself or known treatment)
• Name and contact information of other Physician if referred out

Once the form is completed, please submit the Confidential Physician Cancer Reporting Form and pertinent supporting information by faxing to:

Secure fax: (916) 564-9300

If you have any questions or problems with reporting your cases, please do not hesitate to call the Data Management Unit at the CRGC by calling (916) 779-0300 or email us at reporting@crgc-cancer.org

CRGC Regional Data Collectors can assist you with the following:

• More information regarding cancer reporting requirements
• Reportable neoplasms and diagnoses
• How to complete the Confidential Physicians Cancer Reporting Form
• How to submit cases to CRGC

Please include your name, phone number and facility or physician’s name so that we can route the email to the proper Regional Data Collector.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Kyle L. Ziegler
Data Management and Informatics Director
kziegler@crgc-cancer.org
916-779-0275