Development of cancer registry in Phatthalung Hospital

Evaluation of feasibility is required for development of a hospital-based cancer registry of Phatthalung Hospital. The completeness of case finding from in-hospital sources was evaluated for cancer cases diagnosed from January 1, 1994 to December 31, 1994. Cancer patients were collected from a file of pathological reports and medical records in Phatthalung Hospital. Items in the registration form included identification, demographic data and the data specific to cancer. During the same period of time, all biopsy cases sent from Phatthalung Hospital were selected from the pathological record of the Department of Pathology, Songklanagarind Hospital and from the database of the cancer registry of Songklanagarind Hospital. Ninety cases with histological verification were identified either from Phatthalung or Songklanagarind sources. Twenty seven cases were male and 63 were female. Fifty records were identified from Phatthalung sources and 40 additional records from Songklanagarind sources. Identification of cancer cases only from Phatthalung sources represented only 56% of all histologically verified cases. The two most common primary sites in males were colon and prostate. The percentages were 18.5 and 11.1 respectively. Lung cancer accounted only for 7.4% of all histologically verified cases. The two most common primary sites in females were cervix uteri and breast which accounted for 31.7% and 23.8% respectively. There was too much failure of case identification by in-hospital sources only. Songklanagarind sources were important for case findings. However, it is important that the medical records and filing system in Phatthalung Hospital should be improved.