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.