A Prospective Survey of Radiotherapy Practice 2001 in Sweden

Abstract

ts who started radiotherapy during the study period were included. The final patient sample comprised 5 105 treatments given to 4 171 patients. The results were compared with those of a similar survey conducted in 1992, and the following conclusions were drawn: <list id="l1" type="5"> <item>A substantial increase in the use of radiotherapy was noted;</item><item>The estimated proportion of cancer cases receiving radiotherapy (compared to the incident number of cases) had increased from 32% in 1992 to 47%;</item><item>The proportion of cancer patients receiving radiotherapy was estimated at between 37 and 46%;</item><item>54% of treatments were given with curative intent, a small increase since 1992;</item><item>The difference between regional and county departments for proportion of treatments with curative intent had diminished;</item><item>Treatments with curative intent used a higher proportion of resources measured in terms of fractions;</item><item>The proportion of palliative treatment was slightly lower than in 1992, but the absolute number of treatments had increased by more than 20%;</item><item>No improvement in participation in clinical trials was noted;</item><item>Treatments given with curative intent were more complex with more fields;</item><item>Hyperfractionation was used, mainly in treatments of cancers of the head and neck, lung, and bladder;</item><item>The use of brachytherapy for non-gynaecological malignancies had increased dramatically;</item><item>Treatment of bone metastases with a single or few fractions was used much more frequently;</item><item>Dose planning and patient set-up showed a high standard but quality control of dosimetry of given treatment did not fully comply with Swedish and European recommendations;</item><item>The treatment devices seem to be used more efficiently.</item></list>