2005 Volume 55 Issue 3 Pages 251-255
Background : In 2009, Gunma University will begin to offer heavy ion radiotherapy for the treatment of cancer. This paper estimates the number of heavy ion radiotherapy candidates in Gunma Prefecture. Subjects and Methods : The number of heavy ion radiotherapy candidates in Gunma University was calculated by determining (the number of cancer patients in Gunma Prefecture) × (the percentage of heavy ion radiotherapy candidates, as reported in another paper). The actual number of cancer patients in Gunma Prefecture was estimated by dividing the number of registered cases by the registration rate. The registration rate was calculated using the DCN% to I/D ratio, where DCN% is the proportion of patients killed by cancer but not registered until the arrival of death information, and I/D is the ratio of incidence to death. Results : The number of heavy ion radiotherapy candidates in gunma prefecture was expected to be 655 per year. Conclusion : Because of the low registration rate of the cancer registry and the shortness of clinical trials, the reliability of the present estimate is insufficient, however the present results support the need for heavy ion radiotherapy facility in Gunma University.
