Radiotherapy practices in Sweden compared to the scientific evidence

A systematic assessment of radiotherapy for cancer was conducted by The Swedish Council on Technology Assessment in Health Care (SBU) in 2001. The assessment included a critical review of the literature on radiotherapy for cancer published in 1994-2001 and a prospective survey of radiotherapy practice in Sweden during 12 weeks in the autumn of 2001. The results of the survey were compared with the evidence derived from the scientific literature, and the following conclusions could be drawn: Radiotherapy is currently given to approximately 47% of new cancer cases. This figure is on a par with rates reported from other countries. For most tumour types, curative radiotherapy practices in Sweden are generally supported by the literature. Interstitial brachytherapy has been included in the treatment of non-gynaecological malignancies, and prostate cancer is now the most common indication. Palliative radiotherapy has increased and is today given in a more rational way using single or few fractions. However, it still seems to be under-utilized in Sweden. The need for radiotherapy can be expected to increase until the year 2010.