Distribution pattern of cancer and quality of data in Alexandria Cancer Registry

ABSTRACT

A Cancer Registry is an important informative source for cancer incidence. No population-based cancer registry is available in Egypt. Alexandria Cancer Registry [ACR] is a central hospital-based cancer registry located in the Department of Medical Statistics, Medical Research Institute, covering all the governorates. During 1972-2001, 76,028 cases were accessioned into the registry and stored on the computer using the [ICD-10] code. In males, there were 37,851 cancer cases; the urinary bladder accounted for 15.2% of all cancers, lymphatic and hematopoietic tissue were 19.3%, brain and nervous system were 9.2%, digestive system and peritoneum were 17.7%, respiratory system was 14.4%, oral cavity and pharynx were 5% skin was 2%, bones were 2.5%, soft tissue was 1.9%, and breast was 1.6%. In females there were 38,177 cancer cases; breast cancer accounted for 40.9%, urinary bladder was 3.4%, genital organs were 10% oral cavity and pharynx were 2.7%, lymphatic and hematopoietic tissues were 11.9%, brain and nervous system were 6.6%, digestive system and peritoneum were 10.3, skin was 1.1%, soft tissue was 1.6%, bones were 1.7%, and respiratory system was 3.3%. Incidence rates were calculated for total cancers and for each type of cancer separately in each year of the studied period