The American College of Surgeons National Cancer Database: A successful initiative in improving colorectal cancer outcomes

The National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) was created by the American College of Surgeons and the American Cancer Society, in an effort to improve cancer care, by collecting data about patients treated for oncologic disease on a national level. In capturing more than 70% of patients treated for malignancy in the United States, it has allowed researchers to understand the natural history of colorectal cancer (CRC) and analyze the progression and efficacy of therapeutic strategies aimed at CRC. Due to its focus on oncologic disease alone, the NCDB has also allowed subset analysis of specific tumors and patient populations as well as the validation and refinement of staging strategies. While data from the NCDB have contributed significantly to the study of colorectal cancer, the database remains underutilized with regard to its potential for furthering the understanding of colorectal cancers and improving the care of patients with these tumors.