J Registry Manag. 2023 Spring;50(1):19-25.
The National Cancer Registry of Panama (NCRP) was established in 1974. In 1984, histological confirmation became mandatory. The now pathology-based registry has evolved and has been a population-based cancer registry (PBCR) since 2012 with cancer-specific Web-based reporting software. Herein, we characterize the main features in its development that may help readers understand its evolution and improvements that are needed to be in line with international standards.
We describe the major components of the NCRP using its structure, processes, and a results framework for 3 major periods since its inception: 1974-1999, 2000-2011, and 2012 to present.
The NCRP has always been linked to the Ministry of Health of Panama. Until the end of its second period, it operated as a pathology-based registry and all staff worked part time. Currently, the NCRP is based on passive reporting through a Web-based system set up for both public and private health institutions, covering 77% of the existing health-care institutions in the nation. The number of cases with unknown age were less than 10 per year and primary tumors with unknown origin were at most 3%. The proportion of death certificate only (DCO) cases decreased 5% in 18 years. Men are more likely to have DCO than women (odds ratio, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.48-1.58).
The NCRP has evolved, achieving significant improvements and progress over the years. Yet, much remains to be done. To provide internationally comparable, valid, and timely cancer incidence data, the NCRP should continue to improve its quality and coverage and provide continuous staff training on cancer registry procedures.
巴拿马国家癌症登记处（NCRP）成立于 1974 年。1984 年，组织学确认成为强制性要求。现在基于病理学的登记处自 2012 年以来已经发展成为一个基于人群的癌症登记处（PBCR），并使用特定于癌症的基于网络的报告软件。在此，我们描述了其发展过程中的主要特征，这些特征可能有助于读者了解其演变以及为了符合国际标准所需的改进。
我们使用 NCRP 的结构、流程和 3 个主要时期的结果框架来描述其主要组成部分，这 3 个主要时期分别是：1974-1999 年、2000-2011 年和 2012 年至今。
NCRP 一直与巴拿马卫生部挂钩。在其第二个时期结束之前，它作为一个基于病理学的登记处运作，所有工作人员都是兼职。目前，NCRP 基于通过为公共和私人医疗机构设立的基于网络的系统进行被动报告，覆盖了全国现有医疗机构的 77%。每年少于 10 例病例的年龄未知，且原发肿瘤来源未知的病例最多为 3%。18 年来，死因不明病例（DCO）的比例下降了 5%。男性发生 DCO 的可能性高于女性（比值比，1.53；95%置信区间，1.48-1.58）。
NCRP 已经发展，多年来取得了显著的改进和进展。然而，仍有许多工作要做。为了提供具有国际可比性、有效且及时的癌症发病率数据，NCRP 应继续提高其质量和覆盖面，并为癌症登记程序提供持续的员工培训。
