Availability of Interventional Oncology in Germany in the Years 2018 and 2019 – Results from a Nationwide Database (DeGIR Registry Data)

Abstract

Objective Over the past few decades, radiology has established itself in tumor therapy through interventional oncology including innovative and efficient procedures for minimalinvasive treatment of various tumor entities besides the “classic” therapeutic options such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Aim of this study was to evaluate the extent to which interventional oncology can provide nationwide care using the data from the register of the German Society for Interventional Radiology and Minimally Invasive Therapy (DeGIR registry), which records radiological interventions as part of quality assurance.

Methods The numbers of interventions of participating clinics, which were recorded as part of module D (oncological procedures including TACE or other tumor-specific embolization, ablation, percutaneous tumor therapy) and identified by the DeGIR registry between 2018 and 2019, were analyzed retrospectively. The collected intervention data were evaluated regarding federal states and 40 smaller regions (administrative districts and former administrative districts).

Results In 2018, 11 653 oncological interventions in 187 clinics were recorded by the DeGIR registry. In 2019, the number of participating clinics rose to 216 and the number of oncological interventions increased by 6 % to 12 323. The average number of oncological interventions per clinic decreased slightly from 62.5 (2018) to 57.1 (2019). The DeGIR requirement for being certified as a training center was met by 116 clinics in 2018 including 31 clinics with more than 100 interventions and 129 clinics in 2019 including 36 with more than 100 interventions. Oncological interventions have been performed in each of the 40 regions. An average of 599 interventions per region (standard deviation of 414) was recorded in the period between 2018 and 2019.

Conclusion Based on the distribution of the documented oncological interventions at federal state level as well as the district level, the supply of interventional tumor therapy depends on the geographical location. Therefore, the demand of oncological interventions might not be sufficiently covered in some regions.

Key Points:

• Interventional-oncological tumor therapies are performed throughout Germany

• Looking at the notable geographical differences, the need for interventional oncological procedures does not seem to be sufficiently met.

• In order to improve the comprehensive provision of oncological interventions, the training of interventional radiologists should be promoted further.

Citation Format

• Radosa CG, Nadjiri J, Mahnken AH et al. Availability of Interventional Oncology in Germany in the Years 2018 and 2019 – Results from a Nationwide Database (DeGIR Registry Data). Fortschr Röntgenstr 2022; 194: 755 – 761

Key words

DeGIR registry data - interventional radiology - interventional oncology - quality assurance

Publication History

Received: 13 June 2021

Accepted: 16 December 2021

Article published online:
24 February 2022

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