Quality control indices for standardized diagnosis and treatment of esophageal cancer in China (2022 edition)

J Natl Cancer Cent. 2023 Aug 11;3(3):167-174. doi: 10.1016/j.jncc.2023.07.005. eCollection 2023 Sep.

Abstract

Esophageal cancer (EC) is particularly common in China. With the continuing progress of multi-disciplinary therapy including early screening, minimally invasive techniques, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the 5-year survival of EC has been improved in China. However, there are considerable disparities in the diagnosis and treatment quality among different regions. The Esophageal Cancer Expert Committee of the National Cancer Quality Control Center (NCQCC) considers a set of authoritative quality control standards as an opportunity to eliminate the disparities and improve the overall survival and quality of life of EC. To further promote the quality control for standardized diagnosis and treatment of EC, the National Cancer Center commissioned the Esophageal Cancer Quality Control Expert Committee to draft and formulate the Chinese Quality Control Indices for Standardized Diagnosis and Treatment of Esophageal Cancer (2022 edition). The Indices includes 21 items that cover all key areas in the diagnosis and treatment of esophageal cancer, such as medical oncology, radiation oncology, endoscopy, and pathology.

Keywords: Esophageal cancer; Quality control index; Standardized diagnosis and treatment.