Mathematical prediction models outperformed physicians in predicting the outcome and responses of lung cancer patients to treatment, according to research presented April 20 at the 2nd Forum of the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO). The researchers suggested it might be “unethical” to make treatment decisions based solely on physicians’ opinions.

Another Tax Day has come. This year brings a bitter reminder of the perils of U.S. tax policy, particularly the ill-conceived medical device tax. The tax has gobbled an estimated $450 million from manufacturers’ pockets since Jan. 1. While costs could hit $2 billion annually, the true costs in terms of foregone opportunity in medical advances could be incalculable. In an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal, Siemens Healthcare CEO Gregory Sorenson makes an impassioned appeal on behalf of current and future patients for the repeal of the tax.

Potential efficiencies stemming from separate radiologists in a single practice interpreting different imaging scans performed in the same session on the same patient are extremely limited, with duplicated services averaging only 1.23 percent of total professional component fees, according to a study published online April 9 in Journal of the American College of Radiology.

Reps. Dave Reichert (R-WA), Jim Matheson (D-UT), Pete Olson (R-TX), and Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) have introduced H.R. 1148, the “Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act of 2013.”

As the concept of value ripples through various healthcare domains, advanced cancer treatment requires a closer look. When researchers from Dana Farber Cancer Institute reviewed spending and survival data, they observed substantial regional variation in Medicare spending for advanced cancer, but no association between spending and survival, according to a study published online March 12 in Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

A classification system that categorizes repeat medical imaging into four types could better help researchers and policy makers discriminate between necessary repeat diagnostic imaging and questionable repeat exams. The American College of Radiology’s Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute released a proposed repeat imaging classification grid Feb. 19 in a policy brief.

There’s currently a slight surplus of radiologists leading to a tight job market, but this is partly due to the delayed retirement of senior radiologists, which can be addressed with policies such as phased retirement, according to an article in the February issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology.

The FDA will provide grant funds totaling an estimated $2 million for the support of a Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) radiation protection program.