LOINC Code 21968-3: Surgery Cancer
21968-3 is a LOINC code used to identify Surgery Cancer in laboratory and clinical observation data. You may see this code in lab systems, lab reports, EHR exports, interoperability feeds, or other structured clinical data exchanges. LOINC codes identify tests, measurements, observations, survey items, and clinical questions in a standardized way. It is associated with the component Surgery. It is commonly used with the system or sample type Cancer.XXX.
What is this code?
LOINC codes identify tests, measurements, observations, survey items, and clinical questions in a standardized way. It is associated with the component Surgery. It is commonly used with the system or sample type Cancer.XXX.
When is it used?
- Used in lab systems, EHRs, and clinical data exchange.
- May identify a test, observation, survey item, or clinical document request rather than a diagnosis.
- Status: ACTIVE
What it does not mean
- The code identifies the observation or test, not the actual result.
Key facts
- Surgery Cancer
- Surgery
- Field for pre-1996 surgery codes for COC and pre-1998 surgery codes for SEER. Surgery codes used 1998 and later can be backward converted into the older codes and the converted value can be stored in this field. See Chapter V, Unresolved Issues, for discussion of COC/SEER differences in coding treatment... NAACCR Data Standards and Data Dictionary Version 11
- CA; Misc; Miscellaneous; Nominal; Oncology; Other; Point in time; Random; Spec; Surg; To be specified in another part of the message; TUMOR REGISTRY(NAACCR); Typ; Unspecified
Where you may see this code
You may see this code in lab systems, lab reports, EHR exports, interoperability feeds, or other structured clinical data exchanges.
Common synonyms
Frequently asked questions
About this content
This page is prepared by HealthAssure's clinical team using official coding standards from LOINC. AI tools assist with drafting explanations, which are then reviewed and verified by healthcare professionals for accuracy. This content is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Meet our team.