Deriving stage at diagnosis from multiple population-based sources: colorectal and lung cancer in England.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Stage at diagnosis is a strong predictor of cancer survival. Differences in stage distributions and stage-specific management help explain geographic differences in cancer outcomes. Stage information is thus essential to improve policies for cancer control. Despite recent progress, stage information is often incomplete. Data collection methods and definition of stage categories are rarely reported. These inconsistencies may result in assigning conflicting stage for single tumours and confound the interpretation of international comparisons and temporal trends of stage-specific cancer outcomes. We propose an algorithm that uses multiple routine, population-based data sources to obtain the most complete and reliable stage information possible.

Methods

Our hierarchic

SUBMITTER: Benitez-Majano S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4973150 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature