Background: The Cali Population Cancer Registry (RPCC) has been in continuous operation since 1962 with the objective of producing valid statistics on the incidence of cancer, its patterns, trends and survival rates.Methods: During the period 2008-2012, 23,046 new cases were registered and during 2011-2015 there were 12,761 cancer deaths. The trend of the rates was described with the APC average annual change rate and with the Joinpoint analysis. We analyzed the individual data of 38,671 adults (15-99 years) diagnosed with cancer between 1995-2009, and we calculated the standardized net survival by age for the 14 most common cancer body sites, using the Pohar-Perme method.Results: Prostate and breast cancer were the first cause of cancer morbidity. The incidence rates in these were susceptible to early detection, tumors stabilized after decades of growth, while an increase in the incidence of colon cancer and papillary thyroid carcinoma was observed. The incidence rates of cervical and stomach cancer and conditions related to infectious agents decreased, although the number of absolute cases increased, due to the growth and aging of the population. Gastric cancer was responsible for the highest number of cancer related deaths. The types of cancer related to tobacco consumption (lung, oral cavity, esophagus, pancreas, urinary bladder) showed low numbers and a tendency to decrease. During the period 2000-2004, the 5-year net survival improved for cancers of the breast, cervix, prostate, melanoma and thyroid, although in the period 2005-2009 a stagnation was observed. In stomach, liver and lung cancer, the 5-year net survival was less than 15%. The 5-year overall survival in children was 51.0% (95% CI: 47.5, 54.3) and in adolescents 44.6% (95% CI: 36.0, 52.8).Comment: RPCC has been an advisor to the Colombian government in the evaluation of CPRs in the country and its data has contributed significantly to different aspects of cancer control in Colombia.

The Population-based Cancer Registry of Cali aims to report all new cases in permanent residents within the limits of the city of Cali. Time trends of cancer incidence and mortality are described. The registry has been in continuous operation for 50 years. Methods: Cancer cases reports are obtained actively by visiting all sources of information: hospitals, pathology departments, hematology laboratories, radiotherapy centers, government offices where death certificates are processed and physician’s offices. It is estimated that the reporting is at least 95% complete. Results: Drastic decreases are documented in rates for tumors causally related to infectious agents, especially cancers of the uterine cervix and the stomach. Gradual increases are documented in rates of tumors linked to affluence and the metabolic syndrome, especially cancers of the colon and the female breast. An unexpected increase in the incidence of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid gland in women is reported. Tobacco-related cancers, especially cancer of the lung, showed marked increase in incidence rates around 1970, apparently the beginning of an epidemic similar to the one reported in Western societies. But the increase in incidence stopped around 1980, resulting from a strong anti-smoking campaign launched in Colombia in the 1970s. Conclusions: The findings have influenced prevention strategies implemented by public health authorities, specially the establishment of a city-wide program to prevent cervix cancer via widespread use of vaginal cytology and anti-smoking campaigns. Also, new population-based cancer registries have been established in other Colombian cities as well as in Ecuador.

Background: The Population Cancer Registry of Cali (RPCC) has operated since 1962, disseminating high quality information to provide a framework to assess and control the burden of cancer in Cali.Methods: The collection of new cancer cases in permanent residents of Cali is done through active search in and notification from hospitals, and public and private laboratories. The Secretary of Municipal Public Health provides individual information on general mortality and death from cancer. Tumors are coded with ICDO-3 and mortality with ICD-10. Presented rates are standardized by age and trends are assessed by estimating the percentage annual change using the regression analysis in JoinPoint. The 5-year net survival was analyzed with the Pohar-Perme estimator. Results: The 88.5% of the registered cancers had morphological verification (MV). The proportion of unknown primary site represented 5% and the death certificate only cases (DCO) varied between 0 to3% depending on the cancer site. All deaths were certified by a physician, 94.2% of cancer deaths were correctly certified. The ill-defined site proportion was 5.3% and that of uterine cancer not specified (C55) was 0.5%. For survival analysis, existing data collection procedure and infrastructure ensures assessment of the patient’s vital status and follow-up, with an average lost to follow-up of 13.2%.Comment: The information has been published in the eleven volumes of "Cancer Incidence in Five Continents" confirming high quality of the collected data. The RPCC PCRC has also participated in the Concord Study and is participating in SURVCAN-3.

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Introduction: Yearly more than 160,000 childhood cancer cases are diagnosed worldwide and around 90,000 die because of this disease. In Colombia, this represents the 2nd leading cause of childhood deaths for those more than one year old. Objective: To describe the occurrence and survival patterns of childhood cancer patients over the last 20 years in Cali. Methods:Information was obtained from the Cancer Population Registry in Cali and the Municipal Department of Health. The International Classification for childhood Cancer (ICCC) was used. Vital status data was obtained from MDH death certificates and hospital databases. Additionally, clinical records were reviewed and, in some cases, telephone contact was made to gather data. Follow-up was completed until December 31, 2011. Incident (IR) and mortality rates (MR) were estimated and adjusted for age. Life-tables were made to estimate overall survival. Results: Between 1977-2011 there were 2,311 cases of cancer identified in children less than 15 years of age. The IR and MR for Cali were found to be 141.2 and 55.6 per million of people per year. Leukemias, lymphomas, Central nervous system (CNS) tumors and soft tissue sarcomas showed IR´s of 60.1, 20.5, 25.7 and 9.4, respectively. 5-years OS was 48%, and showed an improvement from 24.9%±4.3 to 51.8%±4.6, compared 1992-96 vs 2002-06 periods. Conclusion: The IR found is comparable with those from affluent countries. Taking into account that pediatric cancer is curable in about 75-80% of the cases, an enormous challenge is presented to the Colombian health system: to improve current clinical results.

In this article by Garcia et al, On corresponding author is incorrect: “Luz Stella Garcia, Registro Poblacional de Cancer de Cali. Calle 4B 31-00 Oficina 4003, Edificio 116, Cali, Colombia. E-mail: luz.garcia@correounivalle. edu.co.” The correct corresponding author should be: “Luis Eduardo Bravo, Director Registro Poblacional de Cáncer de Cali. Calle 4B 31-00 Oficina 4003, Edificio 116, Cali, Colombia. E-mail: luis.bravo@correounivalle.edu.co”

Objetivo. Analizar la tendencia de las tasas de incidencia, mortalidad y supervivencia al cáncer de próstata (CP) en el periodo 1962-2011. Material y métodos. Con base en el Registro Poblacional de Cáncer en Cali (Colombia) y los registros de mortalidad de la Secretaría de Salud Pública Municipal se analizaron las tendencias de las tasas de incidencia, mortalidad y supervivencia por CP en Cali durante el periodo 1962-2011. Resultados. La incidencia de cáncer de próstata aumentó vertiginosamente entre 1986 y 2002 (Annual Percent Change APC 6.2%) y se estabilizó posteriormente. La mortalidad disminuyó desde 1997 en los mayores de 70 años, mientras que en el grupo de 50-69 años fue a partir de 1981. La supervivencia relativa a cinco años fue 69.8% (IC95% 67.5-72.0) y se asoció de manera significativa con la edad, periodo de diagnóstico y estrato socioeconómico. Conclusión. El incremento en la incidencia del CP coincide temporalmente con la implementación del antígeno específico de próstata (PSA por sus siglas en inglés) en Cali; hay evidencia de mejoría en la supervivencia en el CP y disminución en su mortalidad.

Objetivo. Estudiar el comportamiento del cáncer colorrectal (CCR) en Cali, Colombia, durante el periodo 1962-2012, utilizando la información del Registro Poblacional de Cáncer de Cali y de la Secretaría de Salud Municipal de Cali. Material y métodos. Análisis ecológico de series de tiempo para estudiar la tendencia de las tasas de incidencia (1962-2007) y mortalidad por CCR (1984-2012); y un análisis de supervivencia de la serie de casos de CCR registrados en Cali entre 1995-2004. La tendencia temporal de las tasas de incidencia (TIEE) y mortalidad (TMEE) estandarizadas por edad se estudió mediante el cambio medio anual (APC por sus siglas en inglés). Se estimó la supervivencia relativa a cinco años y se hizo un análisis múltiple mediante el modelo de regresión de riesgos proporcionales de Cox. Resultados. Durante el periodo 1962-2007, las TIEE de CCR aumentaron en los hombres y mujeres residentes en Cali; APC= 2.6 (IC95% 2.2- 3.0) y APC= 2.2% (IC95% 1.8-2.7), respectivamente. Entre 1984-2012 las TMEE permanecieron estables en las mujeres y en los hombres aumentaron en todos los grupos de edad; APC=1.8 (IC95% 0.8-2.8). La supervivencia relativa a cinco años fue independiente del sexo y aumentó de 29.7% en 1995-1999 a 39.8% durante 2000-2004. El riesgo de morir por CCR fue mayor en las personas de estratos socioeconómicos (ESE) bajos frente a los ESE altos, HR= 2.1 (IC95% 1.7-2.6); en los mayores de 70 años frente a los menor que 50, HR= 2.4 (IC95% 1.9- 2.9) y en el periodo 1995-1999 frente al 2000-2004 HR=1.5 (IC95% 1.3-1.7). Conclusión. El cáncer de colon y recto está ocupando un lugar preponderante entre los cánceres de mayor importancia en Cali, Colombia.