In the framework of the EUROCARE study, the Analytical Epidemiology and the Evaluative Epidemiology units at the Fodazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori in Milan asked European cancer registries to provide data on all cases (or representative samples) diagnosed mainly in 1990-92 (EUROCARE-2 HR) and 1996-98 (EUROCARE-3 & 4 HR) with breast, colorectal, gastric, testis, and prostate tumours. A minimum of 200 breast, colorectal and gastric cancers, and 100 testicular cancer cases per registry was required.
Information on tumour location, morphology, diagnostic investigations, stage at diagnosis, treatments (chemo, radio, and surgery) were retrospectively collected by personnel of 39 cancer registries accessing clinical records.
Thanks to advances in diagnostic and treatment techniques, as well as in the knowledge of cancer cell biology and comorbidities, major changes in the management of cancer patients took place in Italy and across Europe.
The Analytical Epidemiology and Health Impact Unit at the Fodazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori conducted Italian studies on samples of cases diagnosed mainly in 2003-2005 with breast, colorectal, lung cancers, skin melanoma and Non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL). A minimum of 500 breast, colorectal cancers, 300 lung cancers, and 100 skin melanoma NHL cases per registry was required.
Information on tumour location, morphology, diagnostic investigations, stage at diagnosis, treatments (chemo, radio, and surgery), together with molecular subtypes and dysmetabolisms were retrospectively collected by personnel of 40 cancer registries accessing clinical records.
Access databases were prepared for collection thus reducing data transcript and facilitating data transmission.
The study protocols feasibility was tested among the GRELL countries.
Thanks to a close collaboration with population-based cancer registries, the European High Resolution studies allow us since 2001 to investigate more in depth the reasons of cancer survival differences evident across Europe, and to identify actions needed to reduce disparities.
We thank for the valuable contribute to the HR activities all cancer registries which provided data in the previous rounds of the High Resolution Studies:
| Cancer Registry | 1990-1992 | 1996-1998 | 2003-2005 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denmark | B | ||
| Estonia | B,T* | B,C | |
| Finland | B,C | ||
| France - Bas-Rhin | B,T* | B | B,C |
| France - Basse Normandie | Ly | ||
| France - Calvados | B | B | |
| France - Calvados DT | C* | C |
B=Breast; C=Colorectum; L=Lung; M=Skin Melanoma; Ly=Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma; T=Testis.
DT=Digestive Tract
HM=Haematological Malignancies
*Data no longer available