Resources and Productivity in Radiation Oncology in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden During 1987

Abstract

Data concerning megavoltage equipment and use of mega-voltage external beams in cancer management during 1987 in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden were collected from all 37 centres serving a population of 23 million in these countries. Population per Linear Accelerator Equivalent (LAE) unit ranged from 0.30 million/LAE unit (Denmark) to 0.19 million/LAE unit (Sweden). the number of field treatments were 227 548 (Denmark), 259 917 (Finland), 10 426 (Iceland), 147 960 (Norway) and 490 126 (Sweden). the number of field treatments per million population per year ranged from 35 229 (Norway) to 58 438 (Sweden). the number of field treatments per LAE unit/year ranged from 13 192 (Denmark) to 9 546 (Norway). the fraction of cancer patients receiving megavoltage radiotherapy in 1987 out of all newly diagnosed cancer patients during 1987 was 24% in Denmark, 37% in Iceland, 25% in Norway, and 34% in Finland and Sweden. We conclude that Denmark and Norway probably did not provide adequate levels of radiotherapy for their cancer patients during 1987.

Key Words:

• Radiotherapy resources
• cancer management
• Nordic countries