Improving Population-Wide Collection of Stage at Diagnosis for Childhood Cancer: International Collaboration and Progress

Background: There are huge international disparities in childhood cancer survival. The International Agency for Research on Cancer's Global Initiative for Cancer Registry Development has improved cancer registry coverage of the world's population, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, for virtually all registries around the world, the challenge remains of collecting comparable and population-wide information on stage at diagnosis. This information is essential to understand and address disparities in outcomes. In response to this, a UICC-endorsed set of consensus guidelines for assigning stage for 16 of the most common types of childhood cancer was recently developed (the Toronto Guidelines), for use by population registries in both high and LMICs. Aim: To trial the Toronto Guidelines on a population-basis, and develop a structured protocol, suitable for global implementation, for collecting the required data elements and assigning cancer stage at diagnosis for childhood cance...