Clinical practice guidelines and consensus documents are evidence-based or consensus-based documents developed to assist health care professionals and patients with decision making related to screening, prevention and/or treatment of a specific health condition, and to promote high quality and appropriate care. They are developed from the body of established literature complemented by expert opinion.

Documents are prepared based on information available at the time the panel conducts its literature review and discussions on the topic. There may be new developments that are not reflected in the current versions and may, over time, be revisited and updated. ASTRO provides guidance in four forms: Clinical Practice Guidelines, Consensus Guidance and White Papers, and Model Policies, depending on the topic and evidence available.