Chapter 4: Organization of Radiotherapy and Cancer Care in Sweden

Abstract

Cancer care today relies on every link in the continuum of care, from primary care to the most highly specialized services at regional medical centers. It involves preventive measures, diagnostics, primary treatment, and treatment for recurrence. It also includes followup, psychosocial aspects, and terminal care. Most hospitalized cancer patients receive care at departments of surgery or internal medicine, and at several other departments that provide extensive cancer care services. Oncology departments focus on specialized cancer treatment, namely nonsurgical cancer therapy, mainly radiotherapy and medication-based cancer treatment. These departments are also involved in diagnosis, investigation prior to and following treatment, aftercare, and followup. Most cancer patients will eventually be evaluated and/or treated at a department of oncology, often within a framework of interdisciplinary collaboration. Organizationally, an attempt is being made to locate health services—mainly for patients with advanced cancer and terminal care—as geographically close as possible to patients' homes. Home health services, often hospital-based, and other forms of care continue to develop at many sites throughout Sweden.