The Growth of Radiation Oncology in Mainland China During the Last 10 Years

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the growth of radiation oncology in mainland China during the last 10 years. Methods and Materials: Survey questionnaires were sent to board members of the Chinese Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology on Jan 1, 2006, and collected on Sept 30, 2006. Results were compared with those from 1997. Results: There were 952 registered radiation oncology centers, 5,247 radiation oncologists, 1,181 physicists, 6,864 nurses, 4,559 radiotherapists, and 1,141 engineers, corresponding to 210%, 153%, 279%, 222%, 203%, and 156% growth from 1997. There were 918 linear accelerators, 472 telecobalt units, 146 deep X-ray machines, 827 fluoroscopy simulators, 796 ionization-chamber dosimeters, 400 brachytherapy units, and 851 treatment planning systems, corresponding to 321%, 124%, 82%, 249%, 264%, 142%, and 481% changes from 1997, respectively. In 2006, there were 214 computed tomography simulators, 149 Gamma Knives, and 467 x-knife machines. Approximately 61%, 48%, and 12% of radiation oncology centers performed treatments using three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy, Gamma Knife or x-knife, and intensity-modulated radiotherapy, respectively. Conclusion: Radiation oncology has grown remarkably, and advanced techniques have been implemented very quickly in mainland China during last 10 years, but resources are still far less than the recommendation of the World Health Organization for the population.