What is Oral Cancer Registry?

A cancer registry is an information system designed for the collection, management, and analysis of data on persons with the diagnosis of a malignant or neoplastic disease (oral cancer).

Oral cancer registries can be classified into three general types:

• Healthcare institution registries maintain data on all patients diagnosed and/or treated for cancer at their facility. Healthcare facilities report cancer cases to the central or state cancer registry as required by law.
• Central registries are population-based registries that maintain data on all cancer patients within certain geographical areas.
• Special purpose registries maintain data on a particular type of cancer, such as brain tumors.

Oral cancer registries are data information systems that capture a complete history, diagnosis, treatment, and health status for every oral cancer patient and provide this essential information to researchers, healthcare providers, and public health officials. This facilitates better monitoring and advancing cancer research, screening, treatment and prevention modalities. The system closely involves physicians, dentists, administrators, researchers, and healthcare planners working in a co-ordinated manner to provide support for oral cancer program development, ensure compliance of reporting standards, and serve as a valuable resource for oral cancer information with the ultimate goal of preventing and controlling cancer.