What is a cancer registry? Why is it needed?
A cancer registry is a system for collection, storage, analysis and interpretation of data on cancer patients. Cancer registries may be hospital-based or centralized. Hospital-based registries use information abstracted from medical records to assess the number of diagnoses per year and frequencies by sites. The information collected consists of demographics, site of cancer, type of cancer, type of treatments, stage of disease at diagnosis and vital status. Hospital registry data are used to evaluate diagnostic and treatment practices; assess quality of patient care and hospital programs; and track outcomes. Registry data are also used to develop standards of care; develop strategic plans and measure progress; and assist hospital administrators and physicians in setting up screening programs. Central cancer registries depend on the information obtained from hospital-based registries and from other sources (e.g., pathology laboratories, freestanding cancer clinics and treatment centers,
