American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN)

Description:
NCI-sponsored Cooperative Group, established to provide for a multi-center network for the systematic study and facilitation of the development and rigorous assessment of technologies relevant to diagnostic imaging of cancer. Specific objectives of the network are to:

• Evaluate innovative emerging and new applications of standard methods of diagnostic imaging and image-guided treatment that have the potential to improve cancer survival and the quality of life for cancer patients.
• Compare established patterns of imaging diagnosis, staging, and palliative or curative image-guided treatment with alternative approaches to improve the effectiveness of care for cancer patients and reduce its costs.
• Examine diagnostic and therapeutic strategies that combine imaging procedures with each other and with other (non-imaging) technologies to improve the efficiency of cancer detection and treatment.
• Assess the value of employing imaging examinations for detection of cancer in high-risk patient populations.
• Determine the value of imaging in reducing anxiety and improving the quality of life of individuals who have symptoms suggestive of cancer but who eventually are found to be free of malignancy.
• Disseminate information to help practitioners better differentiate between worthwhile and inappropriate imaging technologies.
• Increase the early availability of new, potentially valuable technologies to a broader range of patients.
• Develop new methods and improve existing methods for the evaluation of medical imaging technologies.

Web Site:
American College of Radiology Imaging Network http://www.acrin.org

Contact:
Barbara A. Galen, MSN, CRNP; bgalen@mail.nih.gov

This page last updated 2007-07-26 14:09:09