Elekta leads the highly competitive radiation therapy market in overall performance and cost rankings, according to Orem, Utah-based research firm KLAS.

The Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA) today said a new analysis published in the Annals of Internal Medicine confirms the value of low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) lung imaging for high-risk Medicare-eligible patients.

Despite concerns about the benefit of low-dose CT (LDCT) lung cancer screening in older patients, a secondary analysis of data from the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) has found the test’s positive predictive value is actually higher for those older than 65.

Despite a growing number of institutions offering low-dose CT (LDCT) lung cancer screening programs, their geographic distribution is uneven, and some populations who are most at need may be left without access.

An actuarial cost-benefit analysis found that implementing low-dose CT (LDCT) recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is cost effective for detection of lung cancer in high-risk Medicare beneficiaries, with a cost per life-year saved lower than screening for cervical and breast cancers.

Using the American College of Radiology’s Lung-RADS standards improved the positive predictive value of CT lung screening by a factor of 2.5, according to a study published in the August issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology.

While low-dose CT (LDCT) lung screening has a false-positive rate of 20 percent or higher, an analysis of National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) data showed patient anxiety is not significantly elevated following a false-positive scan compared with a negative result.

The practice of radiation oncology is advancing rapidly, but even as the technology evolves, it is the power of partnership that is key to improving care. Novel collaboration with radiology, payers and the patients themselves are changing the way treatments are delivered.