Cancer Survival in Saudi Arabia 2005-2009: Analysis of the Population-based Saudi Cancer Registry

Background: 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. Methods: 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 on 28 August 2019 with the above date considered the censoring date for those who were alive. Only those with complete demographic data had survival vital status reported. Survival curves were established for the commonest cancers and 5-year survival was calculated. 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. Findings: 25,969 patients of the commonest cancer sites were reported between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2009. 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), followed by leukemia (67%, SE 0.0121). Survival rates has improved in most of the cancers for the studies period except for lung, uterine and Hodgkin’s lymphoma which plateaued. Females have shown in general better survival than males. Interpretation: 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. Funding: None Declaration of Interest: None to declare. Ethical Approval: The study was approved by the institutional review board at King Abdulaziz University Hospital.