THE NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE CANCER NETWORK - PRESENT AND FUTURE-DIRECTIONS

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has developed an exte nsive set of practice guidelines that cover approximately 90% of all c ancer patients. These guidelines are steadily becoming the standard fo r clinical and coverage policy. The guideline development process is i ntegrated directly with the development of a multiinstitutional data b ase that will permit measurement of adherence of practice to the NCCN guidelines and provide important clinical and other outcomes data. The NCCN is forming partnerships with managed care companies in the guide line/data base area to facilitate the delivery of more effective and e fficient care in oncology. (C) 1998 American Cancer Society.