Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital Cancer Registry
History
The Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital Cancer Registry has been in existence since 1958. The Registry collects information on the demographics, cancer stage, treatment, and survival of all patients who are either diagnosed at DHMC or received any part of their initial course of cancer treatment at the DHMC Lebanon facility or at the old DHMC Hanover facility, since January 1958.
Abstracting and Follow-up Procedures
Within 180 days after the initial identification of a new cancer patient, the medical record is reviewed to collect complete information regarding the diagnosis, cancer stage, and treatment (a description of specific data items appears in the following section). The 180-day lag period allows for completion of any treatment planning and for the filing of all treatment documents in the medical record. All patients are followed annually for vital and disease status. At the time of initial cancer recurrence, information is collected regarding the type of recurrence (local, regional, or distant), the site of recurrence, and treatment.
Coding Standards
All MHMH Cancer Registry data are coded according to the standards established by the American College of Surgeons. These codes are widely accepted as the standard for cancer registries throughout the United States, enabling comparison of MHMH Registry data with virtually any other hospital or central cancer registry in the U.S. The SEER General Summary Staging scheme was developed by the U.S. National Cancer Institute and has been used since 1973, allowing for direct comparison of SEER cancer stages across many years. Prior to 1973, cancer stages were recorded as localized, regional, or distant metastases. The SEER stages are defined as: localized disease, regional extension to adjacent tissues, extension to regional lymph nodes, and metastatic disease. The TNM staging scheme was used since its inception in 1988 through 2003. The TNM staging scheme had been updated several times since then, making direct comparison of TNM stages across several years a difficult procedure. In 2004 Collaborative Staging, established by the American College of Surgeons, was introduced. Collaborative Staging involves the collection of site specific information necessary for conversion algorithms. The SEER and TNM stages are then derived, thus providing the 'best stage' utilizing all available information.
Annual Reports
Reports of DHMC cancer statistics are published annually by the Registry. To request a copy of this please contact any of the registry staff.
MHMH Cancer Registry Staff
- Darlene Austin, CTR. Cancer Registrar. 603-653-9027
- Linda Holbrook, Case Finding. 603-653-9028
- Laura Sims-Larabee, BS, CTR. Cancer Registrar. 603-653-9029
Data Requests
The primary function of the MHMH Cancer Registry is to provide useful, up-to-date information to DHMC investigators, administrators, and clinicians. In order to provide this information in an expeditious and accurate manner, it is essential that the data request parameters be clearly understood by the Registry staff. To assist with clear communication of data requests, please use the following data request form as a guideline when formulating requests. It is not essential that the actual form be utilized, but please be aware that Registry staff will need to know about the following types of issues in order to comply with your request.
