title: The SWENOTECA group: A good example of continuous binational and multidisciplinary collaboration for patients with testicular cancer in Sweden and Norway.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this article is to present the Swedish and Norwegian Testicular Cancer Group (SWENOTECA), with an emphasis on the history of SWENOTECA, organization, results and current status.
  
  
  METHODS
  SWENOTECA was founded in 1981 as a binational organization open to hospitals in Sweden and Norway treating testicular cancer. It has since published treatment protocols for testicular cancer and prospectively registered patients with testicular cancer. Today, all hospitals in Norway and Sweden involved in the care of testicular cancer participate in SWENOTECA, and all patients with testicular cancer are prospectively registered in a population-based database.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine protocols with standardized guidelines on the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of testicular cancer have been published. In addition to the guidelines, several studies have been performed or initiated within the scope of SWENOTECA. The details are presented in this article.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SWENOTECA has been a very fruitful binational collaboration and has thoughtfully evolved over time. The group's continuous work and dedication have provided an example for other national and international cancer networks. The binational implementation of standardized guidelines has resulted in excellent patient outcomes, regardless of place of residence. Although testicular cancer is a relatively rare disease, the population-based binational organization of SWENOTECA has made it possible to publish some of the largest studies in the field of testicular cancer.
authors.affiliation: a 1 The Cancer Clinic, St. Olavs University Hospital , Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Torgrim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tandstad
authors.affiliation: b 2 Department of Oncology, Skåne University Hospital , Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: Olof
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ståhl
authors.affiliation: c 3 Department of Urology, Skåne University Hospital , Malmø, Sweden.
authors.forename: Ulf
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Håkansson
authors.affiliation: d 4 Department of Urology, Oslo University Hospital , Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Rolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wahlqvist
authors.affiliation: e 5 Department of Oncology, Ålesund Hospital , Norway.
authors.forename: Olbjørn
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Klepp
authors.affiliation: b 2 Department of Oncology, Skåne University Hospital , Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cavallin-Ståhl
authors.affiliation: f 6 Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institute , Stockholm, Sweden.|g 7 Department of Oncology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cohn-Cedermark
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D016208:Databases, Factual; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D007391:International Cooperation; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D009664:Norway; D009919:Orchiectomy; D012042:Registries; D013548:Sweden; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: Cancer registry; SWENOTECA; testicular cancer