The Future Needs of External Beam Radiotherapy in Portugal Until 2040

IF 3.2 3区医学 Q2 ONCOLOGY

Clinical oncology Pub Date : 2024-08-03 DOI:10.1016/j.clon.2024.07.011

E.D. Rodrigues , P. Almeida , E. López Ramírez , L. Teixeira

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Aims

External beam radiotherapy (EBRT) is essential to offer an effective cancer treatment, but it needs to be accessible, well-timed, and high-quality. There is a global lack of radiotherapy infrastructure and investment that compromises the cancer outcomes. The authors aim to quantify the future needs of EBRT until 2040 to cover the future demand.

Materials and methods

Based on the Global Cancer Observatory estimate for new cancer cases in Portugal for 2040 it was calculated the optimal number of EBRT courses. The OUP is the proportion of new cancer cases that should receive EBRT at least once. In line with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) DIrectory of RAdiotherapy Centres and European SocieTy for Radiotherapy and Oncology - Health Economics in Radiation Oncology guidelines, we estimated the number of EBRT machines / Megavoltage (MV) units needed. Also, the authors followed the IAEA staffing guidelines.

Results

The calculated median increase in the optimal number of EBRT courses for the year 2040 was found to be 18% when compared to the requirements in 2020. The projected number of optimal EBRT courses for 2040 was estimated to be approximately 34.000. Consequently, a range of 18 to 30 new EBRT machines/ MV units will need to be installed to adequately address the growing demand. To meet this demand, it is anticipated that a total of 28 to 46 radiation oncologists, 22 to 36 medical physicists, and 61 to 102 radiation therapists will be required.

Conclusion

The deficit of EBRT machines / MV units in Portugal will require a change in the cancer related – policies and an investment to offer full access to EBRT treatments.

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2040 年前葡萄牙对体外放射治疗的未来需求。

目的：体外放射治疗（EBRT）对于提供有效的癌症治疗至关重要，但它需要方便、适时和高质量。全球缺乏放疗基础设施和投资，这影响了癌症治疗效果。作者旨在量化 2040 年前的 EBRT 需求，以满足未来的需求：根据全球癌症观察站（Global Cancer Observatory）对 2040 年葡萄牙新增癌症病例的估计，计算出 EBRT 的最佳疗程数。OUP 是指至少应接受一次 EBRT 治疗的癌症新病例的比例。根据国际原子能机构（IAEA）放射治疗中心目录和欧洲放射治疗与肿瘤学学会--放射肿瘤学卫生经济学指南，我们估算了所需的 EBRT 机器/兆伏特（MV）单元的数量。此外，作者还遵循了国际原子能机构的人员配置指南：结果：与 2020 年的需求相比，计算得出的 2040 年最佳 EBRT 疗程数量中位数增加了 18%。预计 2040 年 EBRT 课程的最佳数量约为 34 000 门。因此，需要安装 18 到 30 台新的 EBRT 机器/中压设备，才能充分满足日益增长的需求。为满足这一需求，预计总共需要 28 至 46 名放射肿瘤学家、22 至 36 名医学物理学家和 61 至 102 名放射治疗师：葡萄牙的 EBRT 设备/中压设备不足，需要改变癌症相关政策并进行投资，以提供全面的 EBRT 治疗。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Clinical oncology 医学-肿瘤学

CiteScore

5.20

自引率

8.80%

发文量

332

审稿时长

40 days

期刊介绍： Clinical Oncology is an International cancer journal covering all aspects of the clinical management of cancer patients, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach to therapy. Papers, editorials and reviews are published on all types of malignant disease embracing, pathology, diagnosis and treatment, including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery, combined modality treatment and palliative care. Research and review papers covering epidemiology, radiobiology, radiation physics, tumour biology, and immunology are also published, together with letters to the editor, case reports and book reviews.