Week in review: Cutting breast cancer costs | Predicting fractures on CT | New radiation therapy payment model

Dear AuntMinnie member,

Our top story on AuntMinnie.com this week featured research on the potential value of adding F-18 fluroestradiol (FES)-PET/CT imaging to immunohistochemistry tests in women with suspected estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer.

After conducting a budget impact study, scientists projected $141 million in savings over a five-year period. How did they arrive at that estimate? Click here for all of the details.

Next on the list was an article describing a new possibility for opportunistic use of noncontrast cardiac CT exams. Researchers found that low trabecular bone mineral density of thoracic vertebrae was associated with higher risk of a first hip fracture and especially a first vertebral fracture.

Meanwhile, radiation oncologists from around the U.S. journeyed to Washington, DC, this week to lobby in favor of the Radiation Oncology Case Rate Value-Based Payment Program (ROCR) Act, a newly introduced bill that would create a new Medicare payment model for radiation therapy procedures. We spoke with Casey Chollet-Lipscomb, MD, a board member of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) to hear about the the importance of the legislation.

In other popular news this week, AI was shown to save radiographers time during x-ray image acquisitions. And another study investigated breast cancer screening in women under the age of 40.

See below for the full list of our top stories of the week:

1. FES-PET could save $142M in breast cancer costs
2. Bone density test using existing CT images can forecast fractures
3. ASTRO lobbies for new radiation therapy payment bill
4. AI functions in x-ray systems may save radiographers time
5. Consideration needed in breast cancer screening for young women
6. DTI shows how Alzheimer’s affects white matter microstructure
7. Breast imaging AI algorithm influenced by patient characteristics
8. Breast density, obesity tied to interval cancers in Korean women
9. Radiology, radiation oncology among highest paid specialties
10. PSMA-PET/CT effective in patients with kidney cancer
11. Abbreviated MRI suitable in subsequent screening of dense breasts
12. Is CEM or breast MRI better for breast cancer diagnosis?
13. 5 factors to consider when validating radiology AI
14. Women more prone to LV shear stiffness as they age, MRE reveals