Australian Government - Department of Health and Ageing

Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC)

1014- Transurethral needle ablation (TUNA) for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia

Application No.

1014
Application NameTransurethral needle ablation (TUNA) for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia
Advisory PanelsDr Michael Kitchener
(Chair and MSAC member)
Dr Ross Cartmill
(Urological Society of Australasia nominee)
Mr Alan Crosthwaite
(Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and the Urological Society of Australia nominee)
Dr Brian Kable
(Royal Australian College of General Practitioners nominee)
Professor Vills Marshall
(co-opted member)
Mr Don Thomson
(Continence Foundation nominee)
Date Received by MSAC Secretariat1 March 1999
Stage 1 - EligibilityEligible
Stage 2 - AssessmentCompleted
Stage 3 - Formulation of Advice to the MinisterThis assessment was considered by the MSAC at the 6 March 2002 meeting.

Based on the evidence available, while safe and efficacious in the short term, the long term effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of TUNA has not been proven. The MSAC therefore concludes that unrestricted Medicare Benefits Scheme funding of TUNA for the surgical management of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia is not warranted at this time.

TUNA may, however, have a limited role as an alternative treatment for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia with the following restrictions:
  • that it is restricted to men with moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms that require specific treatment (i.e. those who would normally be recommended for a transurethral radical prostatectomy (TURP);
  • that the patients must not be medically suitable for a TURP;

that interim funding for a period of three years is recommended, and that this funding be linked to the acquisition of data on the type of patients treated and safety data to monitor the use of TUNA under these interim arrangements.


MSAC revised the interim funded status of Transurethral Needle Ablation of the Prostate at its 48th meeting on 29-30 March 2010, and agreed continuation of public funding.
Stage 4 - DecisionEndorsed by the Minister for Health and Ageing 17 May 2002

The Minister noted MSAC 's advice on 2 June 2010.
Stage 5 - ImplementationIn Progress