What is true regarding an accession number for a patient?

An accession number is a unique identifier assigned to a specific case of cancer within a registry, primarily to track patients effectively. The correct statement regarding accession numbers is that only one accession number is assigned regardless of primaries. This means that a specific patient diagnosed with multiple primary tumors during a single admission or at the same facility would still receive one accession number for that particular event or treatment.

This system helps to simplify tracking and managing the data associated with that specific encounter. Each primary treated at a facility would typically receive its own accession number, ensuring clear differentiation between cases. Therefore, having just one accession number per patient encounter, regardless of the number of primaries, provides a consistent and efficient means to organize related information.

Thus, the understanding of how accession numbers function within a registry is pivotal for accurate record-keeping and data management, reinforcing the correct choice that emphasizes the singular nature of accession numbers assigned per patient event.