Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presents a substantial public health challenge in South Korea as evidenced by 10,565 new cases annually (incidence rate of 30 per 100,000 individuals), in 2020. Cancer registries play a crucial role in gathering data on incidence, disease attributes, etiology, treatment modalities, outcomes, and informing health policies. The effectiveness of a registry depends on the completeness and accuracy of data. Established in 1999 by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Korea Central Cancer Registry (KCCR) is a comprehensive, legally mandated, nationwide registry that captures nearly all incidence and survival data for major cancers, including HCC, in Korea. However, detailed information on cancer staging, specific characteristics, and treatments is lacking. To address this gap, the KCCR, in partnership with the Korean Liver Cancer Association (KLCA), has implemented a systematic approach to collect detailed data on HCC since 2010. This involved random sampling of 10-15% of all new HCC cases diagnosed since 2003. The registry process encompassed four stages: random case selection, meticulous data extraction by trained personnel, expert validation, anonymization of personal data, and data dissemination for research purposes. This random sampling strategy mitigates the biases associated with voluntary reporting and aligns with stringent privacy regulations. This innovative approach positions the KCCR and KLCA as foundations for advancing cancer control and shaping health policies in South Korea.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Association of modifiable metabolic risk factors and lifestyle with all-cause mortality in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma Hwi Young Kim, Hye Ah Lee, Pompilia Radu, Jean-François Dufour Scientific Reports.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Heavy smoking increases early mortality risk in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after curative treatment Jaejun Lee, Jong Young Choi, Soon Kyu Lee Journal of Liver Cancer.2024; 24(2): 253. CrossRef
Incorporating ALBI Grade with Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index Enhances Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk Stratification Heechul Nam, Pil Soo Sung, Sung Won Lee, Do Seon Song, Jung Hyun Kwon, Jeong Won Jang, Chang Wook Kim, Si Hyun Bae Liver Cancer.2024; : 1. CrossRef