Which of the following is typically included in registry abstracts beyond demographics and diagnosis date?

• A. Dietary preferences
• B. Site, histology, behavior, stage, vital status, follow-up
• C. Contact information of physicians
• D. Weather on diagnosis day

Answer: (B)

Registry abstracts are built to summarize the cancer itself and what happens to the patient over time. Demographics and the diagnosis date set the baseline, but the value for epidemiology and surveillance comes from tumor-specific details and outcomes. The tumor’s site and histology define exactly what kind of cancer it is, while the behavior indicates whether it’s malignant, in situ, or benign. Staging describes the extent of spread, which is essential for prognosis and treatment planning. Vital status and follow-up provide the survival and outcome data that registries track over time. Dietary preferences or weather on the diagnosis day don’t inform classification or prognosis, and physician contact information isn’t a primary abstract element for registry surveillance. So the items listed—site, histology, behavior, stage, vital status, and follow-up—are the ones routinely included beyond demographics and diagnosis date.