SURVEY OF RADIATION ONCOLOGY CENTERS, EQUIPMENT AND MANPOWER

The purpose of this study was to survey Beam Therapy (External and Brachytherapy) Facilities around in Republic of Turkey. We have surveyed how many Radiation Oncology Centers are there in Turkey and what kind Radiation Therapy Equipment (Linac, Co-60, X-ray, Brachytherapy and Simulator, T.P.S.) and Manpower (Radiation Oncologists, Medical Radiation Physicists and Technologists) they have.

Also, we have searched Regional Distribution Radiotherapy equipment, population and Radiation Oncology Centers, ancillary Equipment, Manpower around in Turkey.Around in Republic of Turkey there are 31 government and 19 private Radiation Oncology Centers. Totaly, 50 centers are functioning yet. Six oncology centers has been designed and they will be opened in 2004. Accordingly our investigation following findings have been obtained 50 centers:40 Linacs, 48 Cobalt-60 Unit, 4 X-ray Therapy, 19 Brachytherapy Afterloading Unit, 53 Simulators and 43 Treatment Planning Systems. There are 18 Blood irradiation Cs-137 Units which are used for medical purposes around in Turkey.

Keywords: Radiation Oncology Centers, Radiotherapy Equipment and Manpower