FOMC projections are important because they provide information for evaluating current monetary policy intentions and because they indicate what FOMC members think will be the likely consequence of their policies. Results here show that the Blue Chip consensus forecasts are a good proxy for the FOMC views. For example, they match the policymakers' views as closely as do the Board staff forecasts presented at FOMC meetings. Using alternative forms of the Taylor Rule, we show that the Blue Chip consensus and the Fed Policymakers' forecasts have almost identical implications for the monetary policy process.
Introduction
Patients diagnosed with cervical cancer face several treatment options, depending on the physical examination and the imaging modality results. Transvaginal sonography (TVS) was proposed as an imaging option to determine local spread of cervical tumors, along with magnetic resonance imaging, also by recently released International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics recommendations. We examined whether combined data from physical examination, high‐detail TVS, and positron emission tomography with 18F‐labeled fluoro‐2‐deoxyglucose and computed tomography (18F‐FDG PET/CT) may contribute to triage efficiency of cervical cancer patients.
Material and methods
This is a retrospective study of consecutive women diagnosed with cervical cancer at the Carmel Health Center, Haifa, Israel, during 2010‐2015. Inclusion criteria were histology of cervical cancer and the availability of three modalities—a thorough physical examination, a high‐detail TVS, and positron emission tomography (PET) with 18F‐FDG and computed tomography (18F‐FDG PET/CT). End points were the possibility to predict local invasion to the parametrium and distant lymph node metastasis at the time of triage to surgery or chemoradiation.
Results
Seventy‐three patients with cervical cancer were evaluated. TVS correctly predicted no involvement of the parametrium for the 25 who had a postoperative pathological report. TVS measurement of tumor dimension was also matched by the pathological report in these cases. Only three patients were referred for adjuvant therapy according to postoperative pathology criteria. Among 43 women treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy due to advanced disease, and with complete data, at least two modalities were congruent with chemoradiation for 33 (77%). Three patients (7%) were referred to chemoradiation due to TVS result alone.
Conclusions
The combination of high‐detail TVS, directed to predict tumor dimensions and local spread, performed by a trained operator, combined with 18F‐FDG PET/CT and physical examination, can assist in selecting optimal treatment for cervical cancer patients, thus avoiding unnecessary operations.
Despite methodological limitations, findings confirm past research showing that disadvantaged ethnic minorities may receive differential recommendations for mental health problems among persons with cancer. This may contribute to the differential treatment gap in mental health care among persons with cancer of contrasting ethnic groups.
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