Development of cancer treatment guidelines

The use of guidelines in medicine has a long history. Many medical conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension, are managed by physicians who use protocols in daily practice. These guidelines are often developed by health organizations by panels of experts who weigh the evidence of clinical studies, some of which are randomized. Insurance carriers in the United States often mandate the use of guidelines because it may mean reduced medical costs. There is an increasing trend to evaluate physician performance based on utilization of established guidelines.