Variables in the databases

Variables in the Belgian Virtual Tumourbank    

> Source variables

> Patient variables

> Technical variables

> Oncological variables

> Variable added by the BCR
 

The dataflow assumes the presence of 3 different databases.

  1. The first database is the local database of every single local biobank. From this database an extraction, containing a standard set of variables, is made and sent to the central database.
  2. The BVT registration (BVTr) database is the database used by the BCR to centralise the data, publish data in the BVT catalogue (BVTc) database, perform quality controls and add cTNM values.
  3. The BVT catalogue (BVTc) database is extracted from the central database, after removal of all the identifying variables (i.e. SSIN number, biopsy number and birth date).

The variables present in the different databases are shown in the following table. A distinction is made between 5 types of variables: source variables, patient variables, technical variables, oncological variables and BCR variables.

 

The most recent table with aggregated data of primary malignant tumour tissue samples registered in the BVT catalogue, can be downloaded on the page Aggregated data.

 

Variables in the Belgian Virtual Tumourbank   

Variables present in the three databases of the Belgian Virtual Tumourbank 

Local database
BVTr database
BVTc database
Source
Laboratory
Laboratory
Creation date
 
Update date
 
Reference ID
Reference ID
Patient
SSIN
SSIN
 
Gender
Gender
Gender
Birth date
Birth date
Age
Age
Patient opposition
Patient opposition
Technical
Sample ID
Sample ID
Sample ID
Biopsy number
Biopsy number
Sample date
Sample date
Sample year
Conservation mode
Conservation mode
Conservation mode
Conservation delay
Conservation delay
Conservation delay
Vital state of the patient (at time of resection)
Vital state of the patient (at time of resection)
Vital state of the patient (at time of resection)
Available materials
Available materials
Available materials
Technical remarks
Technical remarks
Oncological
Sample Type
Sample Type
Sample Type
Sample localisation
Sample localisation
Sample localisation
Localisation primary tumour in case of metastasis
Localisation primary tumour in case of metastasis
Localisation primary tumour in case of metastasis
Laterality
Laterality
Laterality
Morphology
Morphology
Morphology
Degree of differentiation
Degree of differentiation
Degree of differentiation
pTNM
pTNM
pTNM
pTNM prefix
pTNM prefix
pTNM prefix
Oncological remarks
Oncological remarks
Other
BCR
cTNM
cTNM

Top

Source variables      

Source variables give information on the source of the samples:

  • Laboratory: Indicates the laboratory (local biobank) where the samples are stored.
  • Creation date: Indicates when the data regarding the samples were registered in the BVTr database.
  • Update date: Indicates when the data regarding the samples was last updated.
  • Reference ID: Internal unique identification number, used by the BCR internally and for communication with researchers.

Top

Patient variables      

  • SSIN: The social security identification number is a unique patient identification number. The use of this number is necessary to assure the unique identity of the registered samples and to link the data to other databases. Linkage to the cancer database of the BCR is necessary to perform quality controls on the registered data and to add the cTNM value. Furthermore, use of the SSIN allows linkage with other databases for retrieval of specific variables (e.g. survival treatment...) within specific scientific studies. For the latter purpose, an additional authorisation of the Commission for the Protection of Privacy is necessary. Given the identifying character of this number, this variable is not present in the BVT catalogue database.
  • Gender
  • Birth date: Given the identifying character of the birth date, this variable is not present in the BVT catalogue database. From the sample date and the birth date the age of the patient at sample collection is calculated and made available to researchers in the BVT catalogue module.
  • Patient opposition: Indicates whether the patient opposed to the conservation and use of the residual material. When the patient opposes after registration of the sample, the data will be removed from all databases.

Top

Technical variables      

  • Sample ID: Unique identification number of a tumour sample in the local tumourbank. Used to assure the traceability of the sample.
  • Biopsy number: This number corresponds to the pathology report of the tumour sample. The number is necessary to perform quality controls on the registered variables. This number is not present in the BVT catalogue database.
  • Sample date: Indicates the date of sample prelevation.
  • Conservation mode: Indicates the temperature and conditions under which samples are stored in the local biobank (e.g. frozen at -80°C, paraffin embedded, ...)
  • Conservation delay: Indicates the time elapsed between the moment of prelevation and conservation of the sample.
  • Vital state of the patient (at time of resection): Indicates whether a sample originates from an autopsy or not.
  • Available materials: indicates the types of residual materials, other than the tumour tissue, that have been collected and stored within a short period after or before the tumour prelevation (e.g. other tissue samples, cytological samples, DNA, ...)
  • Technical remarks

Top

Oncological variables      

  • Sample type: Indicates whether the sample concerns a primary tumour, a metastasis, normal tissue or another sample type.
  • Sample localisation: Corresponds to the anatomical localisation of the sample according to the ICD-O classification.
  • Sample localisation primary tumour in case of metastasis: If the sample type indicated is a metastasis, the localisation of the primary tumour can be indicated, if available.
  • Laterality: For paired organs, tumours can be located on the right or on the left side of the patient's body.
  • Morphology: Indicates the tumour cell type (according to the ICD-O classification) and the behaviour of the tumour.
  • Degree of differentiation: Corresponds to the degree of aggressiveness of the tumour.
  • pTNM and pTNM prefix: Staging parameters indicating the extent of the tumour after resection.
  • Oncological remarks
  • Other: Variables that are being stored by a local biobank and are not part of the standardised dataset of the Belgian Virtual Tumourbank. These variables are not registered.

Top

Variable added by the BCR      

  • cTNM: Staging parameter indicating the extent of the tumour after clinical diagnosis.

Top

login




zoek