Economic, legal, and ethical rationales for the ACRIN national lung screening trial of CT screening for lung cancer.

The American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN) is a cooperative group funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and dedicated to conducting clinical trials of medical imaging technology. The overarching goal of ACRIN trials is to develop information about the appropriate use of imaging technologies to improve the length and the quality of life for cancer patients. ACRIN’s espoused mission and acceptance of federal funding imply an obligation to the American public to guide medical practice toward the greatest societal good. Imaging can be applied to cancer for several tasks: screening, diagnosis, staging, evaluation of treatment, and