Maryland Cancer Registry Webpage

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Welcome
The Maryland Cancer Registry is a vital resource for comprehensive cancer data in the state.  This information supports researchers, healthcare providers, and public health professionals in identifying trends, assessing risk factors, evaluating treatment outcomes, and work collaboratively to reduce the overall impact of cancer on Maryland residents.  

In accordance with Maryland law, reporting of cancer cases is required.  The data collected is maintained with the highest standards of accuracy and security, and it plays a critical role in supporting the Maryland Department of Health's ongoing efforts to safeguard and promote the health of its residents.

Mission Statement
The Maryland Cancer Registry Advisory Committee (CRAC) adopted the following mission statements for MCR:
  • Oversight of activities that implement Health-General Article, §18-203 and §18-204, Annotated Code of Maryland, and COMAR 10.14.01 (cancer reporting statutes and regulations);
  • Timely, cost-effective, complete, and accurate ascertainment of new cases of cancer and benign central nervous system tumors among Maryland residents;
  • Computerization of cancer reports to facilitate ready availability, accessibility, and analysis; and
  • Preparation and dissemination of reports on the incidence and stage of cancer at diagnosis, which provide information on site, county of residence, and date of diagnosis.
Program History
  • The MCR was initiated in 1982 to collect all incident (new) cancers in the State of Maryland.
  • The Maryland General Assembly enacted Maryland Health-General Articles §§ 18-203 and 18-204, effective July 1, 1991, that mandated reporting of all new cancer cases by hospitals, radiation therapy centers, and freestanding diagnostic laboratories that were licensed in Maryland.  It further mandated the electronic submission of reports to the MCR as of July 1, 1993.

  • ​​The reporting law was amended in 1996 to include reporting of non-hospitalized cancer patients by freestanding ambulatory care facilities, and by physicians whose non-hospitalized cancer patients are not otherwise reported, beginning with cases diagnosed on or after October 1, 1996.

  • In 2001, the Maryland General Assembly passed a law that required the reporting of benign brain and central nervous system tumors to the MCR, effective October 1, 2001.

Maryland Cancer Registry
201 W. Preston Street, Suite 400
Baltimore, MD  21201
410-767-5281​

​​Email:  ​mdh.cancer@maryland.gov