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The National Oncologic PET Registry (NOPR) was developed in response to a proposal that the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) expand coverage for positron emission tomography with F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (PET). The goal of the NOPR is to assess the effect of positron emission tomography with F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (PET) on referring physicians' plans of intended patient management for those cancers and indications not currently eligible for reimbursement from CMS. Data will be collected from the referring physician before and after the PET study.

The NOPR will include cancers and indications not presently eligible for Medicare reimbursement.

The NOPR is implementing this registry for CMS. The NOPR is sponsored by the Academy of Molecular Imaging (AMI) and managed by the American College of Radiology (ACR) through the American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN).

The NOPR received input from, and is endorsed by the ACR, the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and the Society for Nuclear Medicine (SNM).

PET (Positron Emission Tomography) and CT (Computed Tomography) are both standard imaging tools that physicians use to pinpoint disease states in the body. The PET scan demonstrates the biological function of the body before anatomical changes take place, while the CT scan provides information about the bodys anatomy such as size, shape and location. By combining these two technologies physicians can more accurately diagnose and identify cancer, heart disease and brain disorders.

PET/CT is a powerful imaging technique that holds great promise in the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases, particularly cancer. A non-invasive test, PET/CT accurately images metabolic and anatomic information in the human body in a single scan. This allows your physician to examine your entire body at once. PET/CT provides a more complete picture, making it easier for your doctor to diagnose problems, determine the extent of disease, prescribe treatment, and track progress.

All Medicare beneficiaries, including the Medicare HMOs, who are referred for an FDG PET scan to diagnose, stage, or monitor a cancer that is currently not reimbursable or excluded under Medicare are eligible to participate in the NOPR. Patients with insurance coverage other than Medicare, including Medicaid, are not eligible to participate in the NOPR. Your referring physician must agree to complete Pre- and Post-PET data collection forms that include several questions regarding your planned management.