Decision tree sensitivity analysis for cost-effectiveness of FDG-PET in the staging and management of non-small-cell lung carcinoma

This is a critical abstract of an economic evaluation that meets the criteria for inclusion on NHS EED. Each abstract contains a brief summary of the methods, the results and conclusions followed by a detailed critical assessment on the reliability of the study and the conclusions drawn. The present study has quantitatively shown the cost-effectiveness of using a PET based strategy in the management of NSCLC. It has shown that a CT + PET strategy is more economical and has a marginal increase in patient life expectancy as compared to the conventional strategy of staging patients with CT alone. Even with the uncertainty in various variables, the effectiveness of the CT + PET strategy has been shown over a large range. The present study supports the wider use of PET in managing NSCLC as a significant cost-effective tool that can save millions of dollars nationwide.