The publication of the third edition of the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology (ICD-O-3) (WHO, 2000) required the preparation of new programs to convert and to validate data collected by cancer registries. The data are used for epidemiological research and to monitor disease incidence and survival, and it is imperative that they be accurate as possible, so as to provide a true reflection of patterns and trends in cancer occurrence.

A variety of methods are employed to check validity in cancer registries. A widely used method is the so-called internal consistency, whereby computer algorithms are used to detect unlikely or impossible codes, or combinations of codes. The programs provided in this publication include a revised version of the IARC/IACR Check Program originally published in Comparability and Quality Control in Cancer Registration (Parkin et al, 1994). This first program was created to assess data submitted for Cancer Incidence in Five Continents (IARC Scientific Publications nos. 120, 143 and 155). The new program is based on ICD-O-3.

Conversion programs are provided for ICD-O-3 to ICD-10, and the present publication also includes the programs which have been published previously to convert data between all editions of ICD-O and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). This publication is a result of the continuing collaboration between the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the International Association of Cancer Registries, and is the latest in a series of technical materials to help cancer registries worldwide to achieve high-quality data which can be used for comparative analyses.

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IARC Check and Conversion Programs For Cancer Registries Technical Report No. 42