An assessment of oral cancer underregistration at the Connecticut Tumor Registry

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether and to what extent cases of oral cancer diagnosed through the University of Connecticut Health Center Oral Pathology Biopsy Service went unregistered by the Connecticut Tumor Registry during the period 1984 to 1988. All Oral Pathology Biopsy Service pathology reports generated from 1984 to 1988 were reviewed to identify diagnosed oral cancer cases (International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision codes 140, 141, 143 to 145). The names of all identified patients were computer-linked to previously registered cases. Nineteen (8.6%) of the 221 reportable cases of oral cancer diagnosed through the Oral Pathology Biopsy Service from 1984 to 1988 went unregistered. The 19 unregistered cases represented 1.6% of all known Connecticut oral cancer cases diagnosed during the period. The finding of a past, albeit small, "gap" in oral cancer cases registered with the Connecticut Tumor Registry suggests that oral pathologists should confirm that cases of oral cancer diagnosed through their pathology services are being registered by their regional tumor registries.