Validation of a Clinical Cancer Register at the Head and Neck Oncology Center in Örebro.

Abstract

This was a validation study of a regional register of oral cancer in Örebro, Sweden. The purpose was to assess the rate of errors in baseline, and treatment, and the completeness and accuracy of data on recurrences. A total of 653 cases with squamous cell cancer in the oral cavity were identified from the register. A randomized sample of 73 (11%) was selected, and a set of relevant data was compared to medical records. Data on patient and tumour characteristics showed high accuracy, with 98% correct data and more than 99% of treatment data were correct. Follow-up data had a higher rate of errors, with 23% of recurrences not recorded, 13.6% misclassified, and 9.1% of cases showing errors in timing of the recurrence. data concerning patients, tumour status, and treatment in the Regional Head and Neck Register in Örebro are highly accurate. However, the follow-up data contain a higher rate of errors, that must be taken into consideration when evaluating outcome after treatment.