Update PET/PET-CT evidence for need based planning in the area of oncology

Grössmann N, Wild C
Record ID 32018000538
German
Original Title: Update PET/PET-CT Evidenz zum Bedarf und zur Planung bei onkologischen Indikationen
Authors' objectives: The aim of the present update was to identify oncological indications for which the use of PET/PET-CT is recommended or explicitly not recommended by relevant societies and in evidence-based guidelines. In the course of the update, the specific area of application (primary diagnosis, tumour grading, tumour staging/interim staging/re-staging, recurrence staging, and recurrence) for the respective oncological indication was additionally determined. The basis of the present update 2020 were two already published reports (2015 & 2018) of the Austrian Institute for Health Technology Assessment (AIHTA, formerly known as Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for HTA [LBI-HTA]).
Authors' results and conclusions: A total of 37 evidence-based guidelines were identified regarding the use of PET for oncological indications. Of these, twelve recommendations were explicitly against the use of PET. In the case of four oncological indications, a positive recommendation regarding the use of PET could be identified. In contrast, for eight indications a restricted use was recommended. No evidence in favour of PET examinations was identified for six indications, and for seven indication there was no, too little or inconclusive (controversial) evidence available. The overall recommendations from the LBI-HTA report 2018 remained unchanged for 15 cancer indications. In the case of nine indications a different overall recommendations was issued and one additional disease area could be identified.
Authors' recommendations: Just in a scarcity of instances an overall recommendations for the application of PET as a primary or standard diagnostic procedure was issued in the present update (as well as in the previous reports 2015 & 2018). Thus PET is usually part of a diagnostic chain or treatment pathway and should therefore only be used under specific obligations to prevent patient overtreatment/overuse. In general, the present summarised evidence of guidelines can support appropriate health care service provision in Austrian hospitals.
Authors' methods: For the identification of recommendations regarding the benefit of PET for oncological indications, a comprehensive hand search in guideline databases, websites and databases of national and supranational societies was performed. The search period was between 20.05.2020 and 19.06.2020. In addition, a search for explicitly "inappropriate" recommendations against the application of PET/PET-CT was conducted. Generally, the selection of databases and websites was based on the LBI-HTA Report 2015 and the update from 2018.
Details
Project Status: Completed
URL for project: https://aihta.at/page/positronen-emissions-tomographie-computertomographie-pet-ct-evidenz-zum-bedarf-und-planung/en
Year Published: 2020
URL for published report: http://eprints.aihta.at/1249/1/Policy%20Brief_003.pdf
URL for additional information: http://eprints.aihta.at/1249/
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Rapid Review
Country: Austria
MeSH Terms
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography
  • Health Facility Planning
  • Hospital Planning
  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Medical Oncology
  • Needs Assessment
Keywords
  • PET/ Positron Emissions Tomography
  • imaging
  • oncology
  • device planning
  • needs assessment
Contact
Organisation Name: Austrian Institute for Health Technology Assessment
Contact Address: Garnisongasse 7/20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
Contact Name: office@aihta.at
Contact Email: office@aihta.at
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.