Mortality for tracheal, bronchial and lung cancer: possibilities and limits in data quality-control.

Linkage of various archives (municipal, hospital, autopsy) has enabled the authors to reconstruct the flow of information regarding death due to tracheal, bronchial or lung cancer (TBL ca) for the population residing within the Municipality of Ferrara during the period 1983-1985. The authors subsequently attempted to verify the cause of death by performing quality controls on clinical charts, radiologic findings, cytohistologic examinations and autopsy findings. Analysis of the data obtained in this manner suggests that municipal records are more "accurate" than are hospital records. The authors likewise indicate the usefulness and importance of the autopsy for a correct diagnosis of cause of death.