The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) will publish a special report about PET/CT scanning in cancer as a supplement to the May issue of its journal. The report is the work of a Task Force convened by NCCN. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) will publish a special report entitled NCCN task force report: Positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) scanning in cancer as a supplement to the May issue of its journal. The report is the work of a Task Force convened by NCCN to develop clinical recommendations for the use of PET and PET/CT in the evaluation and management of certain types of cancer.

PET is a non-invasive imaging technique used frequently to detect cancer and assess the effects of cancer treatment. However, PET is more costly than other traditional types of imaging. The report, to be published in the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (JNCCN), addresses this challenge and offers recommendations as to when PET is appropriate and most useful.

The Task Force, made up of expert radiologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists and medical oncologists from NCCN Member Institutions, studied existing data to create their recommendations. According to the Task Force Report, "The role of PET or PET/CT scans in oncology is rapidly evolving, with well-defined roles in the common malignancies of breast, lung, colorectal cancer, and lymphoma." In response to concerns about economics, the report suggests that PET can sometimes reduce costs. For example, PET scans can be cost-saving when the results are used to prevent unnecessary surgeries.

"The role of PET or PET/CT scans in oncology is rapidly evolving," said Donald Podoloff, MD, chair of the Task Force and head of the Division of Diagnostic Imaging at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. "With the collective expertise of this Task Force, we were able to make recommendations for appropriate use of this technology. As a result, we hope that PET and PET/CT will demonstrate its cost effectiveness and value to patients, physicians and managed care providers. The rapid acceptance of PET/CT is a testimony to the unique, noninvasive and important information it provides to oncologists as they manage their patients."

The report will be published as a supplement to JNCCN, a nationally recognized, peer-reviewed medical journal received by more than 21,000 oncologists and other cancer care professionals across the United States.