The of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) last month published clinical recommendations for the use of PET and PET/CT in the evaluation and management of certain types of cancer.

The report is the work of a Task Force assembled by the NCCN which included expert radiologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, and medical oncologists from NCCN member institutions.

Guidelines were arrived at after the task force examined existing data to determine the best course of action. The publication directly addresses the challenges associated with the use of PET, including the higher cost of exams. According to the report, PET can sometimes reduce costs such as when the results are used to prevent unnecessary surgeries.

Titled NCCN Task Force Report: Positron Emission Tomography (PET)/Computed Tomography (CT) Scanning in Cancer, the recommendations are published in a supplement to the May issue of the Journal of the NCCN