Cancer survival in Karunagappally, India, 1991-1997

The rural cancer registry of Karunagappally was established in 1990 to study cancer occurrence due to high natural background radiation in the coastal area of Kerala state. Cancer registration was done by active methods. The registry contributed data on survival for 22 cancer sites or types registered during 1991-1997. Follow-up has been carried out predominantly by active methods, with median follow-up time ranging between 3-57 months for various cancers. The proportion of histologically verified diagnosis for different cancers ranged between 39-100%; death certificates only (DCOs) comprised 0-25%; 75-100% of total registered cases were included for survival analysis. The 5-year age-standardized relative survival rates for common cancers were lung (6%), breast (45%), cervix (55%), mouth (42%), oesophagus (14%) and tongue (31%). Five-year relative survival by age group showed no distinct pattern or trend for most cancers. A majority of cases are diagnosed with a regional spread of disease among cancers of the tongue (48%), oral cavity (66%), hypopharynx (54%), larynx (46%), cervix (61%) and breast (53%); survival decreases with increasing extent of disease.     

Cancer survival in Cuba, 1994-1995

The population-based cancer registry in Cuba is a national cancer registry established in 1964; cancer registration is entirely done by passive methods. Data on survival from 13 cancer sites or types registered during 1994-1995 are reported. Follow-up has been carried out predominantly by passive methods, with median follow-up ranging from 13-54 months. The proportion with histologically verified diagnosis for various cancers ranged between 34-100%; death certificates only (DCOs) comprised 8-50%; 50-89% of total registered cases were included for the survival analysis. The 5-year age-standardized relative survival for selected cancers were breast (69%), colon (41%), cervix (56%), urinary bladder (64%), rectum (48%) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (49%). The 5-year relative survival by age group showed no distinct pattern or trend, and was fluctuating. A decreasing survival with increasing clinical extent of disease was noted for all cancers studied. The data on survival trend revealed that the 5-year relative survival of most cancers diagnosed in 1994-1995 was greater than that in 1988-1989.     

Cancer survival in Costa Rica, 1995-2000

The Costa Rica national tumour registry was founded in 1976 and nationwide data collection commenced in 1980. Cancer registration is predominantly done by passive methods. The registry contributed data on survival for invasive cancers of breast and cervix and in situ cancer of the cervix registered during 1995-2000. Followup has been carried out predominantly by passive methods, with median follow-up ranging from 31-47 months. The proportion of cases with histological confirmation of cancer diagnosis was 92% for invasive cancers and almost 100% for in-situ cancer of the cervix; death certificates only (DCOs) comprised 3%, and 78-86% of total cases registered were included for survival analysis. The one-, three- and five-year relative survival were 93%, 77% and 68%, respectively for breast cancer; the corresponding figures for invasive cervix cancer were 83%, 61% and 54%, respectively. The five-year relative survival for in-situ cervix cancer was 99%. A decreasing survival with increasing age group at diagnosis was noted for in-situ cancer of the cervix, while it fluctuated for invasive breast and cervix cancers. A decreasing survival with increasing clinical extent of disease was noted for invasive breast and cervix cancers.     

Cancer survival in Tianjin, China, 1991-1999

The Tianjin cancer registry was established in 1978, and registration of cases is done by the active method. The registry contributed data on 51 cancer sites or types registered during 1991-1999 for this survival study. Follow-up has been a mixture of both active and passive methods, with median follow-up ranging from 5-77 months. The proportion with histologically verified diagnosis for various cancers ranged from 21-95% and 97-100% of total registered cases were included for survival analysis. The top-ranking cancers by 5-year age-standardized relative survival (%) were renal pelvis (101%), lip (99%), corpus uteri (91%), penis and nonmelanoma skin (90%) and thyroid (89%). The corresponding survival for common cancers were lung (31%), stomach (41%), Liver (25%) and breast (82%). The 5-year relative survival by age group reveals an inverse relationship for a few cancers and fluctuated for most cancers. Period survival closely predicted the survival experience of cancer cases diagnosed in that period, with the 5-year relative survival in 1991-1995 by period approach being more or less similar to survival by cohort approach in 1996-1999 for most cancers.     

Cancer survival in Shanghai, China, 1992-1995

The Shanghai cancer registry, established in 1963, is the oldest one in mainland China; cancer registration is entirely done by passive methods. The registry contributed data on 52 cancer sites or types registered during 1992-1995 for this survival study. The methods of follow-up have been a mixture of both active and passive ones, with median follow-up ranging 3-81 months. The proportion with histologically verified diagnosis for various cancers ranged from 14-95%; death certificates only (DCOs) ranged from 0-2% and 98-100% of total registered cases were included for survival analysis. The top ranking cancers on 5-year age-standardized relative survival (%) were thyroid (90%), non-melanoma skin (86%), penis (84%), corpus uteri (82%) and testis (80%). The corresponding survival rates for common cancers were lung (16%), stomach (30%), liver (9%), breast (78%) and colon (48%). The 5-year relative survival by age group reveals an inverse relationship for most cancers. An increasing trend in the 5-year absolute andrelative survival was noted for all cancers registered in 1992-1995 compared to 1988-1991.     

Cancer survival in Izmir, Turkey, 1995-1997

The Izmir cancer registry, the first population-based cancer registry in Turkey, was established in 1992. Cancer registration is now done by active methods. The registry contributed data on survival for 12 cancer sites or types registered in 1995-1997. Follow-up was predominantly done by active methods with median follow-up ranging between 17-72 months for different cancers. The proportion with histologically verified diagnosis for various cancers ranged between 84-100%; there were no death certificate only (DCO) cases; 98-100% of total registered cases were included for the survival analysis. Complete follow-up at five years ranged from 79-98% for different cancers. Five-year age-standardized relative survival rates of common cancers were breast (77%), urinary bladder (70%), Larynx (69%), colon (53%), rectum (52%), non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (50%) and cervix (58%). Five-year relative survival by age group portrayed decreasing survival with increasing age at diagnosis for cancer of the cervix, and was fluctuating for other cancers. Decreasing survival with increasing clinical extent of disease was also noted.     

Cancer survival in Manila, Philippines, 1994-1995

The population-based cancer registry in Manila, Philippines, called the Philippine Cancer Society-Manila Cancer Registry, was established in 1983. Cancer registration is pursued by active methods. The registry contributed survival data on a random sample of total incident cancers of breast (500), cervix (500), colon and rectum (300) registered in 1994-1995. Follow-up has been carried out by passive and active methods, with median follow-up ranging between 15-33 months for different cancers. The proportion of histologically verified diagnosis for various cancers ranged between 78-88%; 74-83% of the total submitted cases were included for survival analysis. Complete follow-up at five years was available in 75-82% of cases. Five-year age-standardized relative survival rates was the highest for cancer of the breast (52%) followed by colon (49%), cervix (36%) and rectum (31%). Five-year relative survival by age group did not display any pattern or trend and was fluctuating. A decreasing survival with increasing extent of disease was noted for all cancers.     

Cancer survival in South Karachi, Pakistan, 1995-1999

The Karachi cancer registry established in 1995 was the first population-based cancer registry in Pakistan. Cancer registration is done by active methods. The registry contributed data on survival for selected cancers of the head and neck registered during 1995-1999. FoLlow-up has been carried out predominantly by active methods with the median follow-up time ranging between 29-36 months for different cancers. The proportion of histologically verified diagnosis for various cancers ranged between 98-100%; there were no cases as death certificates only (DCOs); 86-93% of total registered cases were included for survival analysis. Five-year followup ranged between 67-76%. The 5-year age-standardized relative survival rates was the highest for cancer of the salivary gland (44%), followed by oral cavity (40%), tongue (39%) and tonsil (3%). Five-year relative survival by age group did not display any pattern or trend and was fluctuating. A majority of cases have been diagnosed with a regional spread of disease: tongue (51%), oral cavity (53%), salivary gland (46%) and tonsil (79%) and survival decreased with increasing extent of disease for these cancers.     

Cancer survival in Barshi, India, 1993-2000

The rural cancer registry of Barshi, Paranda and Bhum, was the first of its kind in India and was established in 1987. Registration of cases is carried out entirely by active methods. Data on survival from 15 cancer sites or types registered during 1993-2000 are reported in this study. Follow-up has been carried out predominantly by active methods, with median follow-up time ranging between 2-49 months for different cancers. The proportion of histologically verified diagnosis for various cancers ranged between 73-98%; death certificates only (DCOs) comprised 0-2%; 98-100% of total registered cases were included for survival analysis. Complete follow-up at five years ranged between 96-100% for different cancers. The 5-year age-standardized relative survival rates for selected cancers were non-melanoma skin (86%), penis (63%), breast (61%), cervix (32%), mouth (23%), hypopharynx (11%) and oesophagus (4%). The 5-year relative survival by age group did not display any particular pattern. Five-year relative survival trend between 1988-1992 and 1993-2000 showed a marked decrease for cancers of the tongue, hypopharynx, stomach, rectum, larynx, lung and penis; but a notable increase for breast and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.     

Cancer survival in Mumbai (Bombay), India, 1992-1999

The Bombay cancer registry is the second oldest population-based cancer registry in Asia, and the first of its kind in India. It was established in 1963, and registration of cases is done by active methods. Data on survival from 28 cancer sites or types registered during 1992-1999 are reported. Follow-up has been carried out predominantly by active methods, with median follow-up ranging between 1-51 months for different cancers. The proportion of histologically verified diagnosis for various cancers ranged between 41-100%; death certificates only (DCOs) comprised 0-15%; 84-99% of total registered cases were included for survival analysis. Complete follow-up at five years ranged from 85-92% for different cancers. The 5-year age-standardized relative survival rates for common cancers were breast (48%), cervix (44%), lung (11%), oesophagus (14%), oral cavity (35%) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (34%). The 5-year relative survival by age group portrayed either an inverse relationship or was fluctuating. Cases with a regional spread of disease were the highest for cancers of the tongue, oral cavity, larynx and cervix; survival decreased with the increasing extent of disease for all cancers studied.     

Cancer survival in Chennai (Madras), India, 1990-1999

The Madras metropolitan tumour registry was established in 1981, and registration of incident cancer cases is entirely done by active method. Data on survival for 20 cancer sites or types registered during 1990-1999 are reported. Follow-up has been carried out predominantly by active methods with a median follow-up time ranging between 2-28 months for different cancers. The proportion of histologically verified diagnosis for various cancers ranged between 45-100%; death certificates only (DCOs) comprised 0-5%; 68-95% of total registered cases were included for survival analysis. Complete follow-up at five years ranged between 83-96%. The 5-year age-standardized relative survival rates for common cancers were cervix (60%), breast (47%), stomach (8%), oesophagus (9%), lung (6%) and mouth (36%). The 5-year relative survival by age group portrayed either an inverse relationship or fluctuated. A majority of cases were diagnosed with regional spread of disease, and survival decreased with increasing extent of disease. The absolute difference in 5-year relative survival of most cancers diagnosed in 1984-1989 and1990-1999 ranged between 2-3%, with lesser survival in the latest period in most instances.     

Cancer Incidence in Thailand, 1995-1997

There are five population-based cancer registries in Thailand in different regions of the country. Four of them ‍(Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Bangkok, and Songkhla) have been operating since 1988 and the other (Lampang) since ‍the early 1990’s. These registries have published regular 3-year cancer incidence reports since the first in 1993 for ‍the period 1989-1991. The objective of this article is to summarize the figures of cancer incidence in Thailand during ‍1995-1997. The population of Thailand in 1996, at the middle of the period, was 27 million males and 27.5 million ‍females. Information of cancer cases residing in the five provinces was collected and abstracted from different ‍sources. Age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) of cancer in males and females was calculated for each registry and ‍that for the whole country was estimated using the five registries as representatives for the four geographical regions ‍of Thailand. The estimated number of new cancer cases in 1996 for the whole country was 35,539 men and 38,476 ‍women and the ASRs were 149.2 and 125.0 per 105 population in men and women respectively. Cancer incidences ‍greatly differed from region to region. Lung cancer was the commonest in Chiang Mai and Lampang in the Northern ‍region in both sexes. The incidence of liver cancer in Khon Kaen in the Northeastern region outnumbered all the ‍others in both sexes; cholangiocarcinoma was the major type of liver cancer. In Bangkok, lung cancer was the most ‍important cancer in males and breast cancer was in females. Though it was lung and cervix uteri cancer that ranked ‍the first in men and women in Songkhla, the rate of oral and pharyngeal cancer was exceptionally higher than in ‍other registries. The geographical variability in cancer patterns in Thailand reflects exposure of the population to ‍different risk factors unique to the different regions. In the study as a whole, there are some methodological weak ‍points in estimating the ASRs and number of cancer cases for the whole country, but the results are the most reliable ‍cancer statistics from Thailand at the moment. In conclusion, both a country-wide and region-specific cancer control ‍programmes are needed for Thailand. The national one would be for the cancers common to all regions, and the ‍provincial-level emphasis should be on cancers which are the major problems in the area.     

Cancer mortality in Ireland, 1926-1995.

BACKGROUND: Investigation of long time series of cancer data can still be very useful in helping to identify Cancer Control priorities and achievements. Since the partition of Ireland into the independent Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, which remained part of the United Kingdom, cancer mortality data have been published in an essentially similar format in both countries. The information presented here will contribute to providing a basis for the collaborative Cancer Research programme initiated recently. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cancer mortality data have been assembled and analysed separately for the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland: the data have then been combined to present mortality rates for the whole of Ireland, covering the period from 1926 to 1995. Several rubrics had to be aggregated to provide data continuously over the time span (e.g. colon and rectum and cervix and body of the uterus). When data were only available in 10-year classes of age, the EM algorithm was employed to obtain 5-year age-specific rates. All rates presented are age-standardised, employing the World Standard Population. RESULTS: In women, the death rate from all neoplasms combined increased very slightly from 117 per 100 000 in 1946-1950 to 120 per 100 000 in 1991-1995. In men, the death rate increased from 127 per 100 000 to 172 per 100 000 over the same time period. The overall cancer death rate in Ireland is currently similar to the European average in men, although in women it is among the top fifth of national cancer mortality rates in European countries. While cancer is a major cause of death in Ireland, there is no evidence of an evolving epidemic building up: the death rates from most forms of cancer are declining towards the end of the time period considered. CONCLUSIONS: As demonstrated by falling death rates from Hodgkin's disease and testicular cancer, major treatment advances appear to have been incorporated effectively into clinical practice in Ireland. Progress is apparent in tobacco control and further initiatives in this area must be undertaken since tobacco appears to be the only major new carcinogen introduced recently into the Irish environment during the period covered by this study. Effective population-based screening programmes for cervix and breast cancer and, more controversially, consideration of a National Prostate Cancer Screening programme, offer scope for further improvement in mortality. Examination of this long time series of mortality data from Ireland provides information about the evolving cancer pattern and provides the necessary background to evaluate the impact of the cross-border cancer research activities now being launched.     

Cancer survival in Singapore, 1993-1997

The Singapore cancer registry is a national registry established in 1968. Cancer registration is done by passive methods. The registry contributed survival data on 45 cancer sites or types registered during 1993-1997. Data on 34 cancers registered during 1968-1997 were utilized for survival trend by period and cohort approaches. Follow-up was done by passive methods, with median follow-up ranging between 2-72 months for different cancers. The proportion with histologically verified diagnosis for various cancers ranged between 27-100%; death certificates only (DCOs) comprised 0-7%; 76-100% of total registered cases were included for the survival analysis. The top-ranking cancers on 5-year age-standardized relative survival rates were nonmelanoma skin (96%), thyroid (90%), testis (88%), corpus uteri (77%), breast (74%), Hodgkin lymphoma (73%) and penis (70%). Five-year relative survival by age group showed either a decreasing trend with increasing age groups or was fluctuating. Localized stage of disease ranged between 18-65% for various cancers and survival decreased with increasing extent of disease. Period survival closely predicted survival experience of cancers diagnosed in that period, and an increasing trend in period survival over different periods indicated an improved prognosis for cancers diagnosed in those calendar periods.     

Cancer Survival in Sweden During Three Decades, 1961-1991

Cancer survival in Sweden in 1961-1991 is presented as a comprehensive report from the Swedish Cancer Registry. The report shows both successes and failures, confirms some earlier published results and presents some new findings worth further analysis. Survival has increased for female breast cancer, malignant melanoma, cancers of the testis and thyroid gland, acute leukemia, and Hodgkin's disease. No improvements are found for multiple myeloma or cancers of the liver, gall bladder, and pancreas. Small increases are shown for colorectal cancer and cancers of the stomach, oesophagus, and kidney. Increases in postoperative survival are shown for sites dominated by histologically benign tumors, i.e., intracranial neurinoma, meningioma, and cancers of the endocrine glands such as parathyroid tumors. From 1970-1972 to 1980-1982 the 10-year relative survival rate (RSR) increased from 30% to 38% for males and from 44% to 51% for females. Hence, cancer survival for all cases combined has approached the survival of the general population somewhat. Most of the increases took place in the 1970's. Changes in the distribution of incidence towards cancer sites with better prognoses account for some 10-20% of the observed increases in RSR, whereas the aging of the cancer population reduces the upward trend in RSR for all cases combined by some 1-2%. Cancer patients have poorer survival than the population long after 5 years of follow-up. They reach the survival of the population after about 8-12 years for colorectal cancer, 10 years for cervical cancer, 7-10 years for malignant melanoma, 13-18 years for kidney cancer, and more than 19 years for female breast and prostate cancer. For patients diagnosed in 1970-1972 this occurred 16 years after diagnosis at 29% for males and 43% for females when all cancer cases were combined. The extended time until 'statistical cure' for most cancer forms clearly indicates the need to augment the commonly used 5-year RSR with other outcome measures. If cancers on average are discovered earlier today, the 5-year RSR gives an exaggerated impression of the improvement over time. In this case the change in the 10-year RSR is a less biased criterion.     

Cancer survival in Harare, Zimbabwe, 1993-1997

The Zimbabwe national cancer registry was established in 1985 as a population-based cancer registry covering Harare city. Cancer is not a notifiable disease, and registration of cases is done by active methods. The registry contributed data on randomly drawn sub-samples of Harare resident cases among 17 common cancer sites or types registered during 1993-1997 from black and white populations. Follow-up was carried out predominantly by active methods with median follow-up ranging from 1-54 months for different cancers. The proportion with histologically verified diagnosis for various cancers ranged from 20-100%; death certificate only (DCO) cases comprised 0-34%; 58-97% of total registered cases were included for survival analysis. Complete follow-up at five years ranged from 94-100%. Five-year age-standardized relative survival rates of selected cancers among both races combined were cervix (42%), breast (68%), Kaposi sarcoma (4%), liver (3%), oesophagus (12%), stomach (20%) and lung (14%). Survival was markedly higher among white than black populations for most cancers with adequate cases. Five-year relative survival by age group was fluctuating, with no definite pattern or trend.     

Childhood Cancer in Thailand: 1995-1997

The incidences of childhood cancers in Thailand between 1995 and 1997 were determined from cancer registrations ‍collected at five locations around the kingdom and compared with similar analyses performed at cancer registries in ‍Asia, Europe and the USA. The incidence in Thailand was found to be lower than in some Asian and Western ‍countries. Between 1988-1994 and 1995-1997, the incidence of childhood cancer rose 32.5%. As elsewhere in the ‍world, leukemias, brain tumors and lymphomas comprised two-thirds of all childhood cancers. The age-peak for ‍incidence was between 2 and 5 years, particularly for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Carcinomas were rare. Several ‍features of the cancer pattern correspond to other Asian populations, in particular the low incidence of Hodgkin’s ‍disease, Wilms’ tumor and Ewing’s sarcoma. Neuroblastoma was more common than in neighboring Southeast ‍Asian countries. ‍     

Cancer survival in Songkhla, Thailand, 1990-1999

The Songkhla registry, besides being hospital-based, has population-based cancer registration data available since 1990. Cancer registration is done by active methods. The registry is contributing data on survival for 36 cancer sites or types registered during 1990-1999. Follow-up has been carried out by passive and active methods with median follow-up ranging from 3-71 months for different cancers. The proportion with histologically verified diagnosis for various cancers ranged between 52-100%; death certificate only (DCO) cases comprised 0-34%; 54-93% of total registered cases were included for survival analysis. Complete followup at five years ranged from 50-85% for different cancers. Five-year age-standardized relative survival rates of common cancers were cervix (59%), lung (7%), breast (59%), thyroid (86%), oesophagus (11%), liver (2%), nonmelanoma skin (75%), colon (45%) and oral cavity (33%). Five-year relative survival by age group did not reveal any pattern or trend and was fluctuating. A majority were diagnosed with regional spread of disease, and survival decreased with increasing clinical extent of disease.