Feature Request : Validation check between number_of_lymph_nodes_positive and clinical_n_category

[hknahal]

A validation check should be done on number_of_lymph_nodes_positive to ensure it is consistent with the clinical_n_category field.

Detailed Description

The clinical_n_category tells us the extent of lymph node involvement in cancer. According to AJCC guidelines, if clinical_n_category is "N0", this means the lymph nodes do not contain cancer. If lymph nodes do contain cancer, then clinical_n_category should be a value other than "N0" or "NX" (means no lymph nodes found). These include for example, "N1", "N2", "N3", "N1b" etc. The actual number of lymph nodes found to contain cancer is recorded in the number_of_lymph_nodes_positive field, and this value should be consistent with the clinical_n_category value.

Possible Implementation

• If clinical_n_category is "N0", then number_of_lymph_nodes_positive should be "0".
• If clinical_n_category is a value other than "N0" or "NX" (ie. "N2", "N3" etc.), then number_of_lymph_nodes_positive should be a number greater than 0.
• If clinical_n_category is "NX" (lymph nodes cannot be assessed), then number_of_lymph_nodes_positive is not applicable since no lymph nodes were examined.

[lindaxiang]

Based on discussions with MOH Clinical Committee, the following fields are regarded as having redundant information with TNM category, and will be removed from the data model.

• lymph_nodes_examined_status
• lymph_nodes_examined_method
• number_lymph_nodes_examined
• number_lymph_nodes_positive
  Very likely we will not implement this cross validation check.