Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation ("IKNL")

IKNL is the quality institute for oncological and palliative research and practice. IKNL collaborates with healthcare professionals and managers and patients on the continuous improvement of oncological and palliative care. With data from the Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR), IKNL enables health care professionals, policy makers and others to reflect on cancer care and prevention.

The NCR compiles clinical data of all individuals newly diagnosed with cancer in the Netherlands. Cancer registration clerks register newly diagnosed cancer patients since 1989 on a national basis. Over the past 30 years, this registry has provided clinicians and researchers with a wealth of clinical data (e.g., stage and primary treatment) on cancer patients of all ages.

In oncology, decision-making is usually supported by multidisciplinary meetings, that can include surgeons, oncologists, radiotherapists, and other phycisians. These meetings result in treatment plans consisting of several treatment options, that can be discussed with the patient. During these meetings, physicians can employ several supporting tools, including guidelines, digital decision-trees, and/or prediction models. Patient preferences, explored by several available decision-making tools, can be included in the doctor-patient consultations as well.