Protocol for the Examination of Specimens from Patients with Cancers of the Oral Cavity - Version 4.3.0.0 - Updated accreditation requirements and reporting guidance

Sep 26, 2026

Uploaded by OmBimo

Protocol for the examination and accreditation-use requirements of cancer specimens from patients with cancers of the oral cavity. Specifies when and for which procedures and tumor types the protocol must be used, and lists exclusions (e.g., biopsy, certain resection categories, cytology, specific in situ or related entities). Defines accreditation-related synoptic reporting obligations, distinguishing core, conditional, and optional data elements. Summarizes key changes introduced in version 4.3.0.0 and provides contributor and contact information.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages28

Reading Time1 h 11 min

AccessFree to download

Accreditation Requirements

Synoptic Reporting

Summary of Changes

Protocol for the Examination of Specimens from Patients with Cancers of the Oral Cavity Version: [4.3.0.0](4.3.0.0) Protocol Posting Date: April 2026 CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program Protocol Required Use Date: January 2027 The changes included in this current protocol version affect accreditation requirements. The new deadline for implementing this protocol version is reflected in the above accreditation date. For accreditation purposes, this protocol should be used for the following procedures AND tumor types: | Procedure | Description | | --- | --- | | Resection | Includes specimens designated wet (mucosal) lip and tongue | | Tumor Type | Description | | Carcinoma | Includes squamous cell carcinoma and neuroendocrine carcinoma | This protocol is NOT required for accreditation purposes for the following: | Procedure | | --- | | Biopsy | | Primary resection specimen with no residual cancer (e.g. , following neoadjuvant therapy) | | Cytologic specimens | | Squamous cell carcinoma in situ (Tis) | The following tumor types should NOT be reported using this protocol: | Tumor Type | | --- | | Sarcoma (consider the Bone or Soft Tissue protocol) | | Carcinomas of dry vermillion lip (consider Cutaneous Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma protocol) | | Hematologic malignancies (consider the Precursor and Mature Lymphoid Malignancies, Myeloid and Mixed / Ambiguous Lineage Neoplasms, and Plasma Cell Malignancies protocols) | | Mucosal melanoma (consider the Head and Neck Mucosal Melanoma protocol) | | Salivary glands (consider the Salivary Gland Cancer protocol) | Version Contributors Committee Authors: Raja R. Seethala, MD, FCAP*, Nicole A. Cipriani, MD, FCAP*, Lananh Nguyen, MD, MSc, FCAP, Rashmi Samdani, MD, FCAP, Michael A. Berman, MD, FCAP, Jason R. Pettus, MD, FCAP Expert Panel Contributors: Justin A. Bishop, MD, William C. Faquin, MD, PhD, Shao Hui Huang, MD, Nora Katabi, MD, William Lydiatt, MD, Brian O’Sullivan, MB BCh, Snehal Patel, MD, Lindsay Williams, MD, Keluo Yao, MD, FCAP * Denotes primary author. For any questions or comments, contact: [cancerprotocols@cap.org](cancerprotocols@cap.org). Glossary: Author: Expert who is designated by the chair of the Cancer Committee. Expert Panel Contributors: Includes members of other CAP committees or external subject matter experts who contribute to the current version of the protocol. Accreditation Requirements Synoptic reporting with core and conditional data elements for designated specimen types* is required for accreditation. • Data elements designated as core must be reported. • Data elements designated as conditional only need to be reported if applicable. • Data elements designated as optional are identified with “+”. Although not required for accreditation, they may be considered for reporting. This protocol is not required for recurrent or metastatic tumors resected at a different time than the primary tumor. This protocol is also not required for pathology reviews performed at a second institution (i.e. , second opinion and referrals to another institution) . Full accreditation requirements can be found on the CAP website under Accreditation Checklists. A list of core and conditional data elements can be found in the Summary of Required Elements under Resources on the CAP Cancer Protocols website. *Includes definitive primary cancer resection and pediatric biopsy tumor types. Synoptic Reporting All core and conditionally required data elements outlined on the surgical case summary from this cancer protocol must be displayed in synoptic report format. Synoptic format is defined as: • Data element: followed by its answer (response), outline format without the paired Data element: Response format is NOT considered synoptic. • The data element should be represented in the report as it is listed in the case summary. The response for any data element may be modified from those listed in the case summary, includin

FAQs

Which procedures and oral cavity tumor types require use of this protocol for accreditation?

For accreditation purposes, use this protocol for specified procedures (e.g., resection including designated wet mucosal lip and tongue specimens) and for carcinoma, including squamous cell carcinoma and neuroendocrine carcinoma. Other procedures or tumor categories listed as excluded do not require this protocol for accreditation.

What are examples of situations where this protocol is NOT required for accreditation?

It is not required for accreditation for biopsy, primary resection specimens with no residual cancer after neoadjuvant therapy, cytologic specimens, and squamous cell carcinoma in situ (Tis).

What reporting format and data element rules apply for accreditation?

Synoptic reporting is required for designated specimen types, with all core data elements reported and conditional elements reported when applicable. Optional elements are marked with “+” and may be considered. Required Data element: Response pairs must be displayed together in the synoptic section and may follow allowed layout exceptions.

Sep 26, 2026

Uploaded by OmBimo