Six Clinical Scenarios and Corresponding Main Challenges in Assessing Clinical Benefit When Current Standard Is Replaced with PET/CT
| Scenario | Main challenge |
| A: Replacement of current invasive procedure | Establishment of noninferior accuracy |
| B: Improved accuracy of initial diagnosis | Estimation of effect of delayed diagnosis |
| C: Improved accuracy of staging for curative treatment vs. palliative treatment | PET/CT provides no benefit for survival |
| D: Improved accuracy of staging for radiation vs. chemotherapy | Comparability of changers with all patients |
| E: Response evaluation | Efficient second-line therapy implies imperfect gold standard |
| F: Rapid decision | Lack of agreement on benefit of rapid decision |