Application Detail

Status

Open

Description of Medical Service

The proposed medical service is the review of archival tissue by a pathologist to select appropriate tissue samples, predominantly cancer tissues, for further testing or pathological review.

For example biomarker testing on cancer tissue e.g. of currently MBS-approved EGFR testing for which the fee only reimburses the assay itself, or retrieval of tissues for second opinions in complex or rare cancers.

Description of Medical Condition

Advances in genetics and pharmacogenomics have resulted in a burgeoning array of targeted therapies based on specific ‘typing’ of the condition by a pathologist resulting in better management. For instance treatment is often matched to a particular mutation in that patient’s cancer. This may mean re-testing tissue that was collected at a previous biopsy/surgery or tissue collected from affected relatives. Occasionally, the original tissue is collected at a place (eg regional/remote or non-specialist centres) or at a time when these tests cannot be performed or before a particular therapy is necessary or available. Pathologists are being increasingly asked to review archival tissue specimens (blocks/slides) from patients with previous cancer diagnoses in order to select appropriate material to send for specialised biomarker testing to facilitate individualised therapy. This review (the proposed medical service) is currently unfunded.

Reason for Application

New MBS item

Medical Service Type

Investigative

Previous Application Number

Not Applicable

Associated Documentation

Application Form

-

PICO Confirmation

Final Protocol (PDF 1904 KB)
Final Protocol (Word 150 KB)

Assessment Report

Contracted Assessment Report (PDF 2618 KB)
Contracted Assessment Report (Word 1260 KB)

Public Summary Document

Public Summary Document (PDF 374 KB)
Public Summary Document (Word 119 KB)

Meetings for this Application

PASC

13-14 August 2015

ESC

6 October 2016

MSAC

24 - 25 November 2016
6 - 7 April 2017