-- Glossary
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Glossary

 

Age-adjusted rate :
A weighted average of the age-specific cancer incidence or mortality rates. The weights are the proportions of the persons broken down into age groups of a standard population. The 2000 U.S. standard million population is used to weight the age-adjusted rates for incidence and mortality.

 

Incidence rate :
The number of new cancers, at a specific site or all sites combined, occurring in a population during one year, expressed as the number per 100,000 people. Please note, this can include multiple primary cancers occurring in one individual.

 

Mortality rate :
The number of deaths with cancer given as the underlying cause of death occurring during one year, expressed as the number per 100,000 people.

 

Relative Survival rate :
The ratio of the observed survival rate in the cancer population to the expected survival rate for a non-cancer population.  The relative survival takes into account the possibility of death from causes other than cancer and allows for comparisons of survival between populations.  Individuals identified only by death certificate or autopsy are excluded, as are individuals still alive but with no follow-up after the date of diagnosis.  Also, a true survival rate can not be computed if the total diagnoses are 25 or fewer, or if all cases become lost to follow-up.

 

SEER :
The National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program.

 

Stage of Disease at Diagnosis :

 

Staging at Diagnosis :
Limited to two months after diagnosis.

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