The programme of quality assurance of the EORTC radiotherapy group. A historical overview

A quality assurance programme was activated in 1982 in the EORTC Cooperative Group of Radiotherapy. Definitions and contents of quality assurance and quality control, definitions of errors and deviations (systematic, occasional) are given. The methodology and steps of the quality assurance programme adopted over the past ten years are briefly described. The need for an interaction between national and international networks is emphasized. Consensus statements on quality assurance in radiotherapy provided during the January 1993 Geneva meeting conclude this introduction to the detailed reports on the quality assurance programme of the EORTC Cooperative Group of Radiotherapy.