Neuro-Oncological Centres

Since 2011, Neuro-Oncological Centres (NOC) have been evaluated systematically within a certification process by the German Cancer Society (DKG). These centres are embedded as "modules" within Oncological Centres. A total of 24 NOCs at 23 places have been certified till March 2016. Within the certification procedure, structures and key numbers of centres are evaluated and subjected to benchmarking. The number of all cases with primary diagnosis, the percentage of cases presented and discussed in the interdisciplinary brain tumor board, the numbers of psycho-oncological and of socio-medical care, the percentage of patients enrolled into clinical trials, the number of brain tumor operations and biopsies as well as their complication rates are all subjected to systematic assessment and evaluation. Analysis of the DKG documents shows that the number of NOCs in Germany is steadily increasing. Based on the available data, the authors believe that this certification process has resulted in improved fulfillment of the criteria listed in the certification catalog by the NOCs. Meanwhile, in Germany, a majority of patients with a primary brain tumor are treated in a certified NOC. Expansion of this certification procedure aims at offering all brain tumor patients nationwide the opportunity of being treated in a certified NOC.