Chapter 12: Radiotherapy Practices in Sweden Compared to the Scientific Evidence

Abstract

Comparing the scientific literature to practices in Sweden reveals that radiotherapy is given to less than 34% of all patients with tumor diseases. This figure is lower than rates reported in other countries.

For most tumor types, curative radiotherapy in Sweden is generally similar to practices supported in the literature. Hyperfractionated radiotherapy and interstitial brachy-therapy are used much too sparingly. Palliative radiotherapy is underutilized in Sweden. The need for radiotherapy can be expected to increase until the year 2010.