The SWENOTECA group: A good example of continuous binational and multidisciplinary collaboration for patients with testicular cancer in Sweden and Norway

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this article is to present the Swedish and Norwegian Testicular Cancer Group (SWENOTECA), with an emphasis on the history of SWENOTECA, organization, results and current status. Materials and methods: SWENOTECA was founded in 1981 as a binational organization open to hospitals in Sweden and Norway treating testicular cancer. It has since published treatment protocols for testicular cancer and prospectively registered patients with testicular cancer. Today, all hospitals in Norway and Sweden involved in the care of testicular cancer participate in SWENOTECA, and all patients with testicular cancer are prospectively registered in a population-based database. Results: Nine protocols with standardized guidelines on the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of testicular cancer have been published. In addition to the guidelines, several studies have been performed or initiated within the scope of SWENOTECA. The details are presented in this article. Conclusions: SWENOTECA has been a very fruitful binational collaboration and has thoughtfully evolved over time. The group’s continuous work and dedication have provided an example for other national and international cancer networks. The binational implementation of standardized guidelines has resulted in excellent patient outcomes, regardless of place of residence. Although testicular cancer is a relatively rare disease, the population-based binational organization of SWENOTECA has made it possible to publish some of the largest studies in the field of testicular cancer.

Key Words:

• Cancer registry
• SWENOTECA
• testicular cancer

Acknowledgements

We thank all the hospitals involved in the treatment of testicular cancer in Norway and Sweden, and for their tireless reporting to the SWENOTECA registries. Without the effort of all these clinicians working together we would not have a SWENOTECA network. Finally, we thank all the brave young men whose testicular cancers were of more than academic interest.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper. No funding has been received.