The accuracy of medical certifications of cancer deaths and of cancer diagnosis in the municipal area of Barcelona in 1979.
Death certificates containing a diagnosis of cancer concerning residents of the municipal area of Barcelona were matched against their clinical records to assess the accuracy of medical certifications of cancer death. Out of 2,945 cancer deaths, medical records were available in 1,557 (53%). Both documents were in agreement in 81% of the cases. Information on quality of cancer diagnosis was collected by considering the best evidence available derived from the techniques used. Histology of the primary was present in 67% of the cases. Histology of a metastatic deposit or positive cytology was the best evidence in 10% and other techniques -clinical, X-Ray or laboratory tests- were the best method used in 23%.
D003644:Death Certificates; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality*; D013030:Spain