Availability of technology for managing cancer patients in the Southeast European (SEE) region
Journal
Clinical and Translational Radiation Oncology
Date Issued
2022-03
Author(s)
Dosanjh, Manjit
Georgieva, Petya
Balin Kovacevic, Marijana
Bregu, Ledio
Coralic, Irma
Djurovic, Tamara
Dosieva, Deyana
Foka, Yiota
Fröbe, Ana
Hatziioannou, Konstantinos
Hourdakis, Costas J.
Kabashi, Yllka
Kalev, Dimitar
Kurtishi, Ilir
Litov, Leandar
Mezelxhiu, Beqir
Nestoroska Madjunarova, Svetlana
Nikolova, Gordana
Skrk, Damijan
Smajlbegovic, Velda
Strojan, Primož
Tecic, Zdravka
Tešanović, Dušanka
Todorovic, Vladimir
Valerianova, Zdravka
DOI
10.1016/j.ctro.2022.03.004
Abstract
Background: The Southeast European (SEE) region of 10 countries and about 43 million people differs from
Western Europe in that most SEE countries lack active cancer registries and have fewer diagnostic imaging
devices and radiotherapy (RT) units. The main objective of this research is to initiate a common platform for
gathering SEE regional cancer data from the ground up to help these countries develop common cancer
management strategies. Methods: To obtain detailed on-the-ground information, we developed separate
questionnaires for two SEE groups: a) ONCO - oncologists regarding cancer treatment modalities and the
availability of diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy equipment; and b) REG - national radiation protection
and safety regulatory bodies regarding diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy equipment in SEE facilities.
Results: Based on responses from 13/17 ONCO participants (at least one from each country) and from 9/10
REG participants (all countries but Albania), cancer incidence rates are higher in those SEE countries that
have greater access to diagnostic imaging equipment while cancer mortality-to-incidence (MIR) ratios are
higher in countries that lack radiotherapy equipment. Conclusion: By combining unique SEE region
information with data available from major global databases, we demonstrated that the availability of
diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy equipment in the SEE countries is related to their economic
development. While immediate diagnostic imaging and radiation therapy capacity building is necessary, it is
also essential to develop both national and SEE-regional cancer registries in order to understand the
heterogeneity of each country’s needs and to establish regional collaborative strategies for combating cancer.
Western Europe in that most SEE countries lack active cancer registries and have fewer diagnostic imaging
devices and radiotherapy (RT) units. The main objective of this research is to initiate a common platform for
gathering SEE regional cancer data from the ground up to help these countries develop common cancer
management strategies. Methods: To obtain detailed on-the-ground information, we developed separate
questionnaires for two SEE groups: a) ONCO - oncologists regarding cancer treatment modalities and the
availability of diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy equipment; and b) REG - national radiation protection
and safety regulatory bodies regarding diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy equipment in SEE facilities.
Results: Based on responses from 13/17 ONCO participants (at least one from each country) and from 9/10
REG participants (all countries but Albania), cancer incidence rates are higher in those SEE countries that
have greater access to diagnostic imaging equipment while cancer mortality-to-incidence (MIR) ratios are
higher in countries that lack radiotherapy equipment. Conclusion: By combining unique SEE region
information with data available from major global databases, we demonstrated that the availability of
diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy equipment in the SEE countries is related to their economic
development. While immediate diagnostic imaging and radiation therapy capacity building is necessary, it is
also essential to develop both national and SEE-regional cancer registries in order to understand the
heterogeneity of each country’s needs and to establish regional collaborative strategies for combating cancer.