ASCO Clinical Practice Guidelines and Beyond

Abstract

Venous thromboembolism and its complications, including pulmonary embolism and death, are increasingly recognized as important complications of cancer and cancer treatment.1,2 A summary of the most recent American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) guidelines entitled “Recommendations for Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis and Treatment in Patients With Cancer”is presented in this issue of the Journal of Oncology Practice (JOP).3 Continuing in the tradition of ASCO guidelines, this heavily evidence-based compendium of recommendations from an expert panel will be published in full in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (JCO).4 Guideline Summaries published routinely in JOP distill the full guideline down to the major recommendations and other essential issues.5 Since their initiation in 1994, the ASCO clinical practice guidelines have been well received and represent one of the major benefits of ASCO membership along with the Annual Meeting and JCO. In 2006, five of the top 10 article downloads from the JCO were ASCO clinical practice guidelines. The process of developing ASCO guidelines is rigorous and summarized in a Methodology Manual available at ASCO.org.6 Following review and approval of a guideline proposal, an extensive systematic literature review is conducted often culminating in a metaanalysis of the evidence followed by a lengthy development process with a panel of both content and methodology experts producing a document with explicit recommendations that undergoes exhaustive internal and external review before final approval by the Panel, the Health Services Committee and the ASCO Board of Directors before publication in JCO.