The Quality Research in Radiation Oncology (QRRO) has
the overall goal of improving the care received by cancer patients throughout the USA. To achieve this goal, national surveys will determine structure, process, and outcome of care, emphasizing practice setting, new technologies, and other factors likely to influence outcome. The proposed studies will include cancer of the breast, prostate, and lung, which have the highest incidence and deaths in both men and women. The first PCS survey of lung cancer is timely, because positive clinical trials have created the foundation for improvement in treatment and outcome. Cancer of the cervix and esophagus, where radiation therapy is critical and further improvement in care is still needed, will also be studied. Additional outcome data will be collected for other existing studies. A special study will focus on patients treated with implants for prostate cancer. Another special study will focus on the care received by patients in minority-rich facilities.