Radiat Oncol J.  2019 Dec;37(4):249-253. 10.3857/roj.2019.00577.

Recent trends in intensity-modulated radiation therapy use in Korea

• Huh SJ
• Park W
• Choi DH

• KMID: 2468732
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3857/roj.2019.00577

Abstract

PURPOSE
We aimed to analyze the trend in intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) use in Korea from 2011 to 2018.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We collected data from the Health and Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) big data based on the National Health Insurance Service claims and reimbursements records using primary treatment planning codes (HD 041) for IMRT from 2011 to 2018. We analyzed the changing patterns in clinical application to specific tumor sites and regional differences in IMRT utilization.
RESULTS
The use of IMRT has exhibited an 18-fold steep rise from 1,921 patients in 2011 to 34,759 in 2018. With regard to IMRT in 2018, 70% of patients (24,248/34,759) were treated in metropolitan areas (Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi Province). IMRT was most commonly used to treat breast, lung, and prostate cancers in 2018. Among these, the use of IMRT for breast cancer shows the most remarkable increase from 2016 when the National Health Insurance began to cover IMRT for all solid tumors.
CONCLUSION
The use of IMRT is steadily increasing to treat cancer and is concentrated in metropolitan areas.

Keyword

Intensity-modulated radiotherapy; Korea

MeSH Terms

Breast
Breast Neoplasms
Gyeonggi-do
Humans
Incheon
Insurance
Korea*
Lung
National Health Programs
Prostatic Neoplasms
Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated