J. Galceran

Population-based cancer registries in Spain and their role in cancer control

Population-based cancer registries (PBCRs) are a key element for cancer control. They measure cancer incidence and trends, provide indicators for planning and evaluating cancer control activities, and undertake research. The first two PBCRs in Spain were established in Zaragoza in 1960 and Navarre in 1970, but it was from 1980 to 1995 when most of the existing registries went into operation. Today, 26.5% of the Spanish population is served by a cancer registry. All registries quality-control indicators meet the inclusion criteria for comparability and quality of data required by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, and indeed some fulfil most of the excellence criteria for gold standard certification. After their initiation into recording accurate and complete information targeted at ascertaining cancer incidence in their catchment areas, PBCRs are progressively broadening their scope and becoming increasingly involved in collecting and analysing additional data on patient care, diagnosis, disease stage, treatment and follow-up. Spanish registries have become actively engaged in research projects, domestic and international, at a rate that has risen remarkably in the past decade. The creation of a network of Spanish cancer registries is being considered, with the aim of its becoming a key player in developing standards for cancer registration, providing training and technical assistance, undertaking quality audits and promoting the use of cancer surveillance data to reduce the burden of cancer in Spain.

Cancer survival in Spain: estimate for nine major cancers.

BACKGROUNDnThis study provides estimates of population-based relative survival in Spain for nine major cancers and reports results on cancer survival by region, gender and age group.nnnPATIENTS AND METHODSnOur analysis covered eight Spanish regions, namely, Basque Country, Navarre, Girona, Tarragona, Castellón, Albacete, Murcia and Granada, and included patients with cancer of the colon, rectum, lung, breast, ovary, prostate, testis, melanoma of skin and Hodgkins lymphoma. Cases diagnosed during the period 1995-99 were followed up until 31 December 2004. For individual records, the maximum likelihood approach was used to estimate 5-year relative survival (5y-RS), with crude and adjusted 5y-RS being calculated. A statistical test was applied to explain significant geographical variations.nnnRESULTSnIn the regions studied, the highest 5y-RS ratio was detected for lung cancer (adjusted 5y-RS of 12.4% in Navarre versus 6.1% in Granada) and the lowest for breast cancer (91.3% in Castellón versus 81.2% in Albacete). 5y-RS for the respective cancer types was as follows: colon and rectal, 54.7% and 50.2%, respectively; ovarian, 43% overall, though much lower in the oldest age groups; prostate, 76%, rising to close to 80% in the 45-74 age group, with rates ranging from highest in Girona to lowest in Albacete; testicular, 95%, the type with the best prognosis; and Hodgkins lymphoma, 85%, rising to 92% among young adults. In the case of melanoma of skin, the sex-related difference in 5y-RS was >10% for women.nnnCONCLUSIONSnAlthough regional differences were identified for most tumours, these were more marked in lung cancer. Women showed better prognosis. Breast and prostate cancer registered lower survival among young than among middle-aged adults. The worst prognosis was for lung cancer and the best for cutaneous melanoma, with breast, prostate and Hodgkins lymphoma displaying favourable and colon, rectum and ovary unfavourable prognoses. Identifying regional, gender- and age-related differences affords valuable knowledge for improving cancer care.

Prostate cancer incidence trends in Spain before and during the prostate-specific antigen era: impact on mortality

BACKGROUNDnAlthough prostate cancer has recently registered increasing incidence and decreasing mortality in Spain, no analysis has yet been made of these two indicators to ascertain the magnitude of and reasons for these trends.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnThe time trend in invasive prostate cancer incidence from 1975 to 2004 was studied by combining data from 13 Spanish population-based cancer registries. Change-point Poisson regression models were fitted for all men and for two age groups (45-64 and 65+ years). Age-period-cohort models were used to study cohort and period effects. In addition, we studied the time trend in prostate cancer mortality in Spain for the period 1980-2007.nnnRESULTSnIncidence increased annually by 1.3% from 1975 to 1990 and by 7.3% thereafter. Until 1990, the percentage increase was low and indeed similar for both age groups. While the subsequent increase in the two age groups was greater, this was particularly marked among the youngest men, with a decrease being observed in age groups >85 years in the last quinquennium. Mortality increased by an annual figure of 0.7% until 1998, after which it decreased by 3.6% per annum until 2007.nnnCONCLUSIONSnDespite the dramatic rise in incidence from 1990 onwards, mainly due to opportunistic screening, prostate cancer mortality was only observed to decline slowly from 1998. If prostate-specific antigen screening remains at a similar level in Spain, overdiagnosis may well become an important chronic side-effect and health problem.

Childhood cancer incidence and survival in Spain

BACKGROUNDnThis article affords an overview of the patterns and time trends of childhood cancer incidence (1983-2002) and survival (1991-2002) in Spain.nnnPATIENTS AND METHODSnA population-based study was conducted, including 5936 cases for incidence and 3257 for survival analyses. Differences in incidence were tested with the standardised incidence ratio. Trends were analysed for all tumours, and for all malignant, haematological, central nervous system (CNS) (all and only malignant) and other solid tumours. Incidence trends were analysed using Poisson and Bayesian joinpoint models. Observed, relative and age-adjusted survival rates were calculated, and trends were tested using the log-rank test.nnnRESULTSnThe incidence pattern in Spain was similar to that in Europe. Rates, both overall and for leukaemias, lymphomas, CNS, soft tissue and, remarkably, for sympathetic nervous system and bone tumours, were high. Upward incidence trends were present for all tumour groups. All groups, except solid tumours (excluding CNS), displayed a change-point centred around 1990-95, after which the trend stopped rising. Five-year survival increased significantly across the period for all groups, except for CNS tumours. Recent survival results were in line with Italy, the UK and the European average.nnnCONCLUSIONSnTo confirm these results, ongoing surveillance of incidence and survival trends, and studies targeting specific tumours are called for.

Completeness and timeliness: Cancer registries could/should improve their performance.

UNLABELLEDnCancer registries must provide complete and reliable incidence information with the shortest possible delay for use in studies such as comparability, clustering, cancer in the elderly and adequacy of cancer surveillance. Methods of varying complexity are available to registries for monitoring completeness and timeliness. We wished to know which methods are currently in use among cancer registries, and to compare the results of our findings to those of a survey carried out in 2006.nnnMETHODSnIn the framework of the EUROCOURSE project, and to prepare cancer registries for participation in the ERA-net scheme, we launched a survey on the methods used to assess completeness, and also on the timeliness and methods of dissemination of results by registries. We sent the questionnaire to all general registries (GCRs) and specialised registries (SCRs) active in Europe and within the European Network of Cancer Registries (ENCR).nnnRESULTSnWith a response rate of 66% among GCRs and 59% among SCRs, we obtained data for analysis from 116 registries with a population coverage of ∼280 million. The most common methods used were comparison of trends (79%) and mortality/incidence ratios (more than 60%). More complex methods were used less commonly: capture-recapture by 30%, flow method by 18% and death certificate notification (DCN) methods with the Ajiki formula by 9%. The median latency for completion of ascertainment of incidence was 18 months. Additional time required for dissemination was of the order of 3-6 months, depending on the method: print or electronic. One fifth (21%) did not publish results for their own registry but only as a contribution to larger national or international data repositories and publications; this introduced a further delay in the availability of data.nnnCONCLUSIONSnCancer registries should improve the practice of measuring their completeness regularly and should move from traditional to more quantitative methods. This could also have implications in the timeliness of data publication.

Lung cancer prognosis in Spain: The role of histology, age and sex

Survival in the case of lung cancer patients not only remains poor and decreases with advancing age at diagnosis, but recent European studies also report that it differs by sex. Our study sought to describe sex-related differences in lung cancer survival in Spain, and evaluate the role played by histologic type. Our analysis covered seven Spanish regions with population-based cancer registries. Cases diagnosed with lung cancer during the period 1995-1999 were followed up until December 31, 2004. To ascertain possible sex differences we performed multiple regression analysis. Age-standardized 5-year relative survival proved significantly higher in women (11.8%) than in men (9.2%), and among the youngest patients relative survival at 5 years conditional on surviving 1 year, was 1.74 times significantly higher in women than in men. The regression analysis showed that men had a higher relative excess risk of dying (RER) than did women (1.1 [95% CI 1.03-1.18]), with this being particularly marked among the 15-54 age group (1.42 [1.24-1.64]). Analysis by histologic type showed that in small cell carcinoma, men had a higher RER than women (1.29 [1.02-1.61]); in squamous cell carcinoma, men had a significantly lower RER than women during the first and fifth years; and in large cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma, the RER displayed no significant sex-related differences. Lung cancer survival rates in Spain are poor, with better prognosis in women, especially among patients aged under 55 years at diagnosis, or those with small cell carcinoma.

The moderate decrease in invasive cervical cancer incidence rates in Spain (1980–2004): limited success of opportunistic screening?

BACKGROUNDnDespite its low incidence, invasive cervical cancer (ICC) is still a public health concern in Spain, due to its being perceived as an avoidable neoplasm. Social changes in recent decades may have increased the risk of ICC among Spanish females. This study sought to update incidence trends in Spanish registries.nnnPATIENTS AND METHODSnWe studied the ICC incidence time trend over the period 1980-2004 using data from 13 Spanish population-based cancer registries, analysing all cases and the two main histological types, i.e. squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (AC). Change-point Poisson regression models were fitted for all women and for the following three age groups: 25-44, 45-64 and > or =65 years. Age-period-cohort models were used to study cohort and period effect.nnnRESULTSnICC incidence showed a moderate decrease (annual percentage change: -0.9%; 95% CI -1.3% to -0.5%). Whereas rates among younger women rose sharply by 5.5% until 1990, when they began to descend by 1.2% annually, among women aged > or =45 years they declined by 1.5% per annum. In the last decade of the study period, divergent trends were found for SCC and AC, i.e. downward versus upward, respectively. Risk increased with birth cohort after 1940-45 but the period effect showed opposite trends for the two histological types.nnnCONCLUSIONnCervical cancer incidence rates have decreased moderately in Spain, a trend consistent with the preventive effect of widespread opportunistic screening.

Cancer survival in adult patients in Spain: Results from nine population-based cancer registries

IntroductionWith the aim of providing cancer control indicators, this work presents cancer survival in adult (≥15xa0years) patients in Spain diagnosed during the period 2000–2007 from Spanish cancer registries participating in the EUROCARE project.MethodsCancer cases from nine Spanish population-based cancer registries were included and analysed as a whole. All primary malignant neoplasms diagnosed in adult patients were eligible for the analysis. Cancer patients were followed until 31 December 2008. For each type of cancer, 1-, 3- and 5-year observed and relative survival were estimated by sex, age and years from diagnosis. Furthermore, age-standardized 5-year relative survival for the period 2000–2007 has been compared with that of the period 1995–1999.ResultsSkin melanoma (84.6 95% CI 83.0–86.2), prostate (84.6% 95% CI 83.6–85.6) and thyroid (84.2% CI 95% 82.0–86.6) cancers showed the highest 5-year relative survival, whereas the worst prognosis was observed in pancreatic (6% 95% CI 5.1–7.0) and oesophageal (9.4% 95% CI 7.9–11.1) cancers. Overall, survival is higher in women (58.0%) than in men (48.9%). The absolute difference in relative survival between 2000–2007 and 1995–1999 was positive for all cancers as a whole (+4.8% in men, +1.6% in women) and for most types of tumours. Survival increased significantly for chronic myeloid leukaemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and rectum cancer in both sexes, and for acute lymphoid leukaemia, prostate, liver and colon cancers in men and Hodgkin’s lymphoma and breast cancer in women. Survival patterns by age were similar in Europe and Spain. A decline in survival by age was observed in all tumours, being more pronounced for ovarian, corpus uteri, prostate and urinary bladder and less for head and neck and rectum cancers.ConclusionHigh variability and differences have been observed in survival among adults in Spain according to the type of cancer diagnosed, from above 84% to below 10%, reflecting high heterogeneity. The differences in prognosis by age, sex and period of diagnosis reveal opportunities for improving cancer care in Spain.

Trends in incidence of thick, thin and in situ melanoma in Europe

BACKGROUNDnWe analysed trends in incidence for in situ and invasive melanoma in some European countries during the period 1995-2012, stratifying for lesion thickness.nnnMATERIAL AND METHODSnIndividual anonymised data from population-based European cancer registries (CRs) were collected and combined in a common database, including information on age, sex, year of diagnosis, histological type, tumour location, behaviour (invasive, in situ) and lesion thickness. Mortality data were retrieved from the publicly available World Health Organization database.nnnRESULTSnOur database covered a population of over 117 million inhabitants and included about 415,000 skin lesions, recorded by 18 European CRs (7 of them with national coverage). During the 1995-2012 period, we observed a statistically significant increase in incidence for both invasive (average annual percent change (AAPC) 4.0% men; 3.0% women) and in situ (AAPC 7.7% men; 6.2% women) cases.nnnDISCUSSIONnThe increase in invasive lesions seemed mainly driven by thin melanomas (AAPC 10% men; 8.3% women). The incidence of thick melanomas also increased, although more slowly in recent years. Correction for lesions of unknown thickness enhanced the differences between thin and thick cases and flattened the trends. Incidence trends varied considerably across registries, but only Netherlands presented a marked increase above the boundaries of a funnel plot that weighted estimates by their precision. Mortality from invasive melanoma has continued to increase in Norway, Iceland (but only for elder people), the Netherlands and Slovenia.

Changing geographical patterns and trends in cancer incidence in children and adolescents in Europe, 1991–2010 (Automated Childhood Cancer Information System): a population-based study

Summary Background A deceleration in the increase in cancer incidence in children and adolescents has been reported in several national and regional studies in Europe. Based on a large database representing 1·3 billion person-years over the period 1991–2010, we provide a consolidated report on cancer incidence trends at ages 0–19 years. Methods We invited all population-based cancer registries operating in European countries to participate in this population-based registry study. We requested a listing of individual records of cancer cases, including sex, age, date of birth, date of cancer diagnosis, tumour sequence number, primary site, morphology, behaviour, and the most valid basis of diagnosis. We also requested population counts in each calendar year by sex and age for the registration area, from official national sources, and specific information about the covered area and registration practices. An eligible registry could become a contributor if it provided quality data for all complete calendar years in the period 1991–2010. Incidence rates and the average annual percentage change with 95% CIs were reported for all cancers and major diagnostic groups, by region and overall, separately for children (age 0–14 years) and adolescents (age 15–19 years). We examined and quantified the stability of the trends with joinpoint analyses. Findings For the years 1991–2010, 53 registries in 19 countries contributed a total of 180u2008335 unique cases. We excluded 15u2008162 (8·4%) of 180u2008335 cases due to differing practices of registration, and considered the quality indicators for the 165u2008173 cases included to be satisfactory. The average annual age-standardised incidence was 137·5 (95% CI 136·7–138·3) per million person-years and incidence increased significantly by 0·54% (0·44–0·65) per year in children (age 0–14 years) with no change in trend. In adolescents, the combined European incidence was 176·2 (174·4–178·0) per million person-years based on all 35u2008138 eligible cases and increased significantly by 0·96% (0·73–1·19) per year, although recent changes in rates among adolescents suggest a deceleration in this increasing trend. We observed temporal variations in trends by age group, geographical region, and diagnostic group. The combined age-standardised incidence of leukaemia based on 48u2008458 cases in children was 46·9 (46·5–47·3) per million person-years and increased significantly by 0·66% (0·48–0·84) per year. The average overall incidence of leukaemia in adolescents was 23·6 (22·9–24·3) per million person-years, based on 4702 cases, and the average annual change was 0·93% (0·49–1·37). We also observed increasing incidence of lymphoma in adolescents (average annual change 1·04% [0·65–1·44], malignant CNS tumours in children (average annual change 0·49% [0·20–0·77]), and other tumours in both children (average annual change 0·56 [0·40–0·72]) and adolescents (average annual change 1·17 [0·82–1·53]). Interpretation Improvements in the diagnosis and registration of cancers over time could partly explain the observed increase in incidence, although some changes in underlying putative risk factors cannot be excluded. Cancer incidence trends in this young population require continued monitoring at an international level. Funding Federal Ministry of Health of the Federal German Government, the European Unions Seventh Framework Programme, and International Agency for Research on Cancer.