National Comprehensive Cancer Network

Educational Events & Programs

NCCN International Programs

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) works in collaboration with third party organizations to present the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology™ (“the NCCN Guidelines”) to international audiences of physicians and other medical professionals.  Additionally, NCCN collaborates to create and distribute translations of the NCCN Guidelines, which may include modifications representative of metabolic differences in populations, technological considerations, and regulatory status of agents used in cancer management, such as availabilities of drugs, biologics, devices, and procedures.  The primary goal of all NCCN initiatives is to improve the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of oncology practice so patients with cancer can live better lives. 

International Adaptation of NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology – The Process

NCCN authorizes selected groups to adapt its Clinical Practice Guidelines to reflect genetic variations in metabolism of agents and regulatory environments of host countries, subject to approval by NCCN and representatives of NCCN’s disease-specific panels.

Participating countries select disease-specific representatives to review and suggest modifications to specific Guidelines.  It is important that the fields of surgical oncology, medical oncology, and radiation oncology are represented for each type of cancer.  Representatives are recognized experts in the management of these malignancies in their home countries.  In addition, because the process involves the development of consensus through compromise, they are sufficiently influential that they can speak for the general oncology community in their own countries. 

Each member of each committee receives a copy of the most recent version of the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines for the specific type of cancer.  The members circulate the Guidelines among a representative group of multidisciplinary physicians in their country to determine areas where local practice is not concordant with the NCCN Guidelines.  There is discussion of how the Guidelines might be adapted to accommodate local circumstances.  The representative to the regional meeting is responsible for bringing these recommendations forward to the regional meeting.

A regional meeting is conducted so that all participating representatives can develop a single proposal for adaptation of each disease-specific Guideline. Any proposed modification of a Guideline must be supported by data.

At this meeting, NCCN panel members present the data used to develop the Guidelines and representatives of the regional alliance present proposed changes and the literature that supports them; a discussion of the issues takes place.  At the end of the meeting, a consensus is developed regarding an adaptation of the Guidelines that is acceptable to the NCCN.  Any changes from the original NCCN Guideline are identified in the adaptations. 

Disclaimer
Translated versions of the NCCN Guidelines are coordinated by NCCN and with legal permission from NCCN. The NCCN Guidelines may not be reproduced in any form without the express written permission of NCCN.  All rights reserved.  To view the most recent and complete versions of all NCCN Guidelines, please refer to the NCCN versions in English.

International Initiatives

• Asia
• Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

Opportunities for Collaboration and Sponsorship

We welcome the opportunity to explore potential business collaborations with you.

If you have questions about NCCN international programs, please contact Kelly Simpson, Project Manager, Global Initiatives.

For general NCCN queries and domestic programs, please visit our main Contact Page