The Cancer Strategy (2017) highlighted that the demand for radiation oncology is expected to increase in line with increases in cancer incidence.
The NCCP is responsible for the development of radiation oncology services; the Director of the NCCP chairs the National Programme for Radiation Oncology Board. The Director of the NCCP also sits on the Radiation Oncology Working Group, which develops strategy, policy and other reports for the NCCP as directed.
The NCCP National Radiation Oncology Programme aims to ensure that requirements for treatment continue to be met. The Programme incorporates a number of initiatives aimed at coordinating and managing radiation oncology services and ensuring that appropriate planning is undertaken to meet future requirements.
National Quality Assurance Framework for Radiation Oncology in Ireland
The principle objective of the ‘National Quality Assurance Framework for Radiation Oncology’ is to improve the quality of care received by patients. The quality indicators were developed and agreed upon by the National Radiation Oncology Working Group.
Clinical Practice Guidance for Radiation Oncology
The National Radiation Oncology Working Group is currently developing clinical guidance specifically for radiation oncology. The clinical areas being addressed were prioritised by the Working Group. Clinical consultant supervisors have been assigned to tumour sites with research being carried out by Specialist Registrars, and support is being provided by the NCCP. A list of members involved in developing the guidance documents below can be found here.
Clinical guidance can be found for the following tumour sites:
Head and Neck
| Type |
Question and link to guidance |
Date |
| Tongue |
Guidance
For people with early squamous cell carcinoma of the oral/anterior tongue (pN0/pN1) does postoperative radiation unilateral or bilateral neck compared to no RT result in better local/regional control and improved overall survival?
|
Jan 2018 |
| Sinus |
Guidance
Maxillary Sinus Squamous Cell Carcinoma – What is the role of radiation therapy in the clinically node negative neck?
|
Jan 2018 |
Hepatobiliary
| Type |
Question and link to guidance |
Date |
| Pancreas |
Guidance
In patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (BRPC), does neoadjuvant (chemo) radiotherapy compared with no neoadjuvant treatment improve resection rates, negative margins and overall survival?
|
Jan 2018 |
Lymphoma
| Type |
Question and link to guidance |
Date |
| Hodgkin Lymphoma |
Guidance
In patients with early stage unfavourable or bulky Hodgkin lymphoma, is addition of radiotherapy to chemotherapy indicated?
|
Jan 2018 |
Last updated 23rd August 2021
