Cancer Survival in Saudi Arabia 2005-2009: Analysis of the Population-based Saudi Cancer Registry
Abstract The Saudi Cancer Registry reported in 2007 the 5-year observed survival for the most common cancer sites for the years 1994-2004. In this report we looked at the cancer survival in the period 2005-2009 and evaluated the trend over the 15 years period from 1994-2009. Cases of the top 14 cancer sites reported by the population based Saudi Cancer Registry from 1 January 2005 to December 31, 2009 were submitted for survival analysis. The vital status of those patients was collected. Analysis of survival for the above period was compared with the prior reported 2 periods (1994-1999, 2000-2004). In addition, analysis was done according to age, sex, disease stage and the province. Data of 25,969 patients of the commonest cancer sites were submitted. Of those 14,146 (54%) had complete demographic data available and vital status was reported. The observed 5-year survival for the 14,146 patients analyzed was 66%. Thyroid cancer had the highest 5- year observed survival of 94% (standard Error (SE) 0.0062), followed by Breast (72%, SE 0.0085). In hematological malignancies, Hodgkin’s Lymphoma had the highest 5-year survival of 86% (SE 0.0116). Survival rates has improved in most of the cancers sites for the studied periods except for lung, uterine and Hodgkin’s lymphoma which plateaued. Our study confirms a steady improvement in the 5-year observed survival over time for the majority of cancers. Our survival data were comparable to western countries. This data should be used by policy makers to improve on cancer care in the kingdom.