Cancer registration by linking pathology and district PAS data

Abstract

The incompleteness and inaccuracy of cancer registries, with the resulting underestimation of cancer incidence and lack of confidence by clinicians in the information offered, have been noted by numerous studies throughout the world. We report attempts in one district to provide more accurate and timely information on cancer cases, both for local purposes and for expediting input to the Regional Registry and hence the National Registry. A semi-automatic link between the pathology system and the PAS system was developed to establish a histopathology-based dataset of cancer cases for the district. This software provides a basis for cancer registration and, combined with clinical staging and treatment ranges, could provide a timely and accurate picture of cancer for research, management, treatment and planning purposes.