Regional Cancer Registry

The Regional Cancer Registry is a service of the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute.  It is the first cooperative regional cancer registry in Pennsylvania.  The state-of-the-art system allows advanced recording and reporting of cancer diagnosis, treatment, outcome, and clinical research statistics.

• What is a cancer registry?
• Why maintain a cancer registry?
• What information is maintained in the cancer registry?
• How is this data used?
• What is a cancer registrar?

What is a cancer registry?
A cancer registry is an information system designed for the collection, management, and analysis of data on persons with the diagnosis of a malignant or neoplastic disease (cancer). Cancer registries can be classified into three general types:

• Health care institution registries maintain data on all patients diagnosed and /or treated for cancer at their facility. As a member of the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute our hospital maintains a health care institute registry.
• Central registries are population-based registries that maintain data on all cancer patients within certain geographical areas. The Regional Cancer Registry at the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute and the Pennsylvania Cancer Registry are population-based cancer registries.
• Special purpose registries maintain data on a particular type of cancer, such as brain tumors.

Why maintain a cancer registry?
Local, state and national cancer agencies use registry data in defined areas to make important public health decisions that maximize the effectiveness of limited public health funds, such as the placement of screening programs. Cancer registries are valuable research tools for those interested in the etiology, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Fundamental research on the epidemiology of cancer is initiated using the accumulated data.

Lifetime follow-up is an important aspect of the cancer registry. Current patient follow-up serves as a reminder to physicians and patients to schedule regular clinical examinations and provides accurate survival information.

What information is maintained in the cancer registry?

• Demographic Information: Age, gender, race/ethnicity, birthplace and residence.
• Medical History: Physical findings, screening information, occupation and any history of a previous cancer.
• Diagnostic Findings: Types, dates and results of procedures used to diagnose cancer.
• Cancer Information: Primary site, cell type and extent of disease.
• Cancer Therapy: Surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone or immunotherapy.
• Follow-up: Annual information concerning treatment, recurrence, and patient status is updated to maintain accurate surveillance information.

How is this data used?

• Evaluate patient outcome, quality of life, and satisfaction issues and implement procedures for improvement
• Provide follow-up information for cancer surveillance
• Calculate survival rates by various data items
• Provide information for cancer program activities
• Analyze referral patterns
• Allocate resources at the health care facility, the community, region or state level
• Develop educational programs for health care providers, patients and the general public
• Report cancer incidence as required under state law
• Evaluate efficacy or treatment modalities

What is a cancer registrar?
Cancer registrars are data management experts who report cancer statistics for various healthcare agencies. Registrars work closely with physicians, administrators, researchers, and health care planners to provide support for cancer program development, ensure compliance of reporting standards, and serve as a valuable resource for cancer information with the ultimate goal of preventing and controlling cancer. The cancer registrar is involved in managing and analyzing clinical cancer information for the purpose of education, research, and outcome management.

The Regional Cancer Registry employs 5 certified tumor registrars (CTR), 1 registrar in training and 3 staff assistants.

The Regional Cancer Registry is a member of the North American Association of Central Cancer Registrars. All registrars at the Regional Cancer Registry are members of the National Cancer Registrars Association and the Pennsylvania Association of Cancer Registrars.

The Regional Cancer Registry utilizes the Rocky Mountain Cancer Data System.


Registry Brochure (.pdf 365KB)