January 8, 2003

This directory contains four files:

	ReadMe.txt		This file
	ThesaurusV1_1XML.zip	The NCI Thesaurus version 1.1 in XML format
	ontylog.dtd		The XML's document type definition, from Apelon, Inc.
	ThesaurusV1_1Flat.zip	The NCI Thesaurus version 1.1 in flat file format

Editing of NCI Thesaurus V 1.1 was completed on December 24, 2002.  The CTRM 
terminology (with editing completed through November 1, 2002), and the caDSR 
(Cancer Data Standards Repository) common data elements (through September 11,
2002), are integrated in this version of the Thesaurus.  Concept codes are 
expected to become stable with this release.  Release version 1.1 corresponds
to 02.12e (i.e. the fifth build in December 2002) in our development cycle.

The XML file contains the entire terminology and associated ontologic
constructions from the NCI Thesaurus, including properties, roles, and 
kinds.  The vocabulary in this XML format is in a defined state; no inferred 
relations are included.  The DTD for the XML is as defined by Apelon, Inc,
whose editing tools are being used in the construction of the Thesaurus.

The flat file is in tab-delimited format.  Included in this format are all 
the terms associated with NCI Thesaurus concepts (names and synonyms), a 
text definition of the concept (if one is present), and stated parent-child
relations, sufficient to reconstruct the hierarchy.  The fields are:

	code <tab> name <tab> parents <tab> synonyms <tab> definition

If a "parents" or "synonyms" field contains multiple entries, these 
are pipe-delimited.  The first entry in the "synonyms" field is the 
preferred name of the concept.  The "definition" field contains only
one definition if more than one definition is associated with the concept;
not all concepts contain definitions.