perspectives on treatment with irradiation in slovenia

Background: Radiotherapy is one of the three main modalities of cancer treatment. However, effective treatment with radiotherapy may only be assured by highly advanced irradiation facilities, including systems for planning, performing and quality control of irradiation. The second requirement assuring an effective treatment is proper capacities of treatment units and computer equipment to provide a timely access to treatment to > 50 % of all cancer patients and a proper structure and number of staff specialized in handling with radiotherapy equipment. In Slovenia, only 38 % of cancer patients are treated with radiotherapy. In general, the waiting times of patients referred to radiotherapy are too long. Therefore, further development and upgrading of irradiation facilities will remain a priority in oncology in Slovenia also in the future. At the same time, in our endeavors to meet the set goals, we have been facing unforeseen problems both with human resources and inadequate financial appreciation of radiotherapeutic services that, without significant national aid, do not yield sufficient funds for renewal and upgrading of equipment and its further expansion.