Utility Programs

Overview

Utility programs are small programs that perform a variety of useful functions for Registry Plus programs. They are implemented as Microsoft^® Windows^® applications using dynamic link libraries (DLLs) for their core operations. The DLL mechanism allows other programs to link to function libraries at run-time, giving full access to the capabilities within.

More information about Registry Plus software, documentation, and tips are available in the Registry Plus knowledgebase.

Conversion specifications for NAACCR 27

The conversion specifications describe the actions of the conversion program written to convert records in the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR) version 26 XML to the NAACCR version 27 XML standard.

Effective with implementation of the NAACCR XML standard, data items are defined in XML dictionaries. The NAACCR base dictionary defines the standard NAACCR data items maintained by NAACCR as defined in the NAACCR Data Standards and Data Dictionary. The NAACCR base dictionaries for versions 26 and 27 are included in the NorthCon installation and are stored in the Data Dictionary folder within the application folder. The NAACCR base dictionaries are needed to convert data from NAACCR version 26 to 27.

The base dictionaries were final at the time of release of NorthCon, but they are subject to change over time and can be replaced in the NorthCon Data Dictionary folder. Please check NAACCR's website for the latest versions of the base dictionaries and replace the dictionaries in the Data Dictionary folder as needed.

User items must be defined individually in a user dictionary to convert data in user-defined fields from version 26 to 27. A simplified method for adding data items to a user dictionary has been added to NorthCon to address user-defined data items.

Conversion specifications are described below.

1. Performs conversions related to recategorizing specific site and histology combinations from one schema (such as Soft Tissue) to another (such as Site-based) for the Staging Schema Redefine.
2. Performs conversions for Neoadjuvant data items that have been recategorized as site-specific data items (SSDIs) with coding structure updates.
3. Performs a conversion to split Colon and Rectum into two schemas based on Primary Site.
4. Performs a conversion for Diagnostic Confirmation for Hematopoietic cases.
5. Performs a conversion for Pleural Mesothelioma for Primary Site and Extent of Disease (EOD). If American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM Staging is collected, the change in Primary Site will make the cases eligible for AJCC TNM Staging and the cases should be reviewed.
6. Performs additional conversions related to EOD, Grade, SSDIs, and Summary Stage as outlined in the NAACCR 2027 Implementation Guidelines.
7. Enables grouping of tumors by Patient ID when the input file is sorted by Patient ID.
8. The NAACCR Record Version [item 50] value is set to '270' in each converted record.

NorthCon27.exe record converter: NAACCR 26 to NAACCR 27

Initial release, version 1.0.0.21, build date August 25, 2026

NorthCon27.exe, a freestanding program for Microsoft Windows, converts files of cancer registry records from NAACCR 26 to NAACCR 27, which are data formats prescribed by NAACCR. Input files should conform to NAACCR version 26 XML. Converted output files will contain records in the NAACCR version 27 XML standard format. See the program's online help in the Documentation folder for usage instructions.

Note: Files processed through NorthCon are expected to meet NAACCR standard data requirements. Version 26 edits should be run and errors corrected prior to running the conversion.

The setup package contains a description of the application program interface and instructions for running the software.

• Download the latest version of NorthCon to your computer.
• Unzip the file and run setup.exe to install the software. This program will install NorthCon27 without disturbing previous NAACCR versions of NorthCon.

This release of NorthCon 27 includes the latest nconv27.dll, which can be used to perform conversion with a program other than NorthCon27.exe. After installation, nconv27.dll can be found in the same directory in which you installed NorthCon27.exe.

Note: If a user dictionary is not needed to convert data from NAACCR version 26 to 27, the NorthCon27.exe.config found within the NorthCon V27 directory will need to be updated to remove the LocalDictionary definition.

Notice to users with large datafiles

For best results, use this application locally when working with large datafiles.

Use of network folders, especially with large files, may diminish application performance and stability.

Converting previous versions

The following older versions convert older NAACCR data files to more current NAACCR versions. All NorthCon downloads are accessible from the NorthCon Files page in the knowledgebase.

• Northcon260_1.0.0.3 Record Converter: Converts NAACCR version 25.0 to 26.0: Download NorthCon26_Installer_08_14_2025.zip (ZIP file, 5 MB, August 14, 2025)
• Northcon250_1.0.0.6 Record Converter: Converts NAACCR version 24.0 to 25.0: Download NorthCon25_Installer_07_15_2024.zip (July 15, 2024, 5 MB)
• Northcon240_1.0.0.7 Record Converter: Converts NAACCR version 23.0 to 24.0: Download NorthCon24_Installer_07_24_2023.zip (July 24, 2023, 5MB)
• Northcon230_1.0.0.6 Record Converter: Converts NAACCR version 22.0 to 23.0: Download NorthCon23_Installer_02_21_2023.zip (February 21, 2023, 4MB)
• Northcon220_1.0.0.13 Record Converter: Converts NAACCR version 21.0 to 22.0: Download NorthCon22_Installer_06_17_2022.zip (June 17, 2022, 3 MB)
• Northcon210_1.0.0.22 Record Converter: Converts NAACCR version 18.0 to 21.0: Download NorthCon21_installer_06_15_21.zip (June 15, 2021, 1.6 MB)
• Northcon180_1.0.0.3 Record Converter: Converts NAACCR version 16.0 to 18.0: Download Northcon180_installer_04_18_19.zip (April 18, 2019, 607 KB)
• Northcon160_1.1.1 Record Converter: Converts NAACCR version 15.0 to 16.0: Download setup_northcon160_1.1.1.exe (March 4, 2016, .6 MB)
• Northcon150_1.1.1 Record Converter: Converts NAACCR version 14.0 to 15.0: Download setup_northcon150_1.1.1.exe (March 17, 2015, 1.6 MB)
• Northcon140_1.0.2 Record Converter: Converts NAACCR version 13.0 to 14.0: Download setup_northcon140_1.0.2.exe (March 18, 2014, 1.4 MB)
• Northcon130_1.0.2 Record Converter: Converts NAACCR version 12.2 to 13.0: Download setup_northcon130_1.0.2.exe (April 8, 2013, 1.3 MB)
• Northcon122_1.0.0 Record Converter: Converts NAACCR version 12.1 to 12.2: Download setup_northcon122_1.0.0.exe (December 12, 2011, 1.4 MB)
• Northcon121_1.0.3 Record Converter: Converts NAACCR version 12.0 to 12.1: Download setup_northcon121_1.0.3.exe (September 15, 2011, 1 MB)
• Northcon12_1.0.3.exe Record Converter: Converts NAACCR version 11.x to 12.0: Download setup_northcon12_1.0.3.exe (January 11, 2012, 917 KB)

In addition to the installation materials, additional helpful resources are available for all Registry Plus products in the knowledgebase.

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