Australian Government - Department of Health and Ageing

Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC)

Application 1052

Radiofrequency ablation of liver tumours

Application No.

1052
Application NameRadiofrequency ablation of liver tumours
Advisory PanelsAssociate Professor Richard King
(Chair and MSAC member)
Associate Professor Ken Thomson
(MSAC member)
Professor Bryant Stokes
(MSAC member)
Ms Rebecca James
(MSAC member)
Professor Peter Angus
(Gastroenterological Society of Australia nominee)
Professor Rob Gibson
(co-opted member)
Dr Matthew Links
(Royal Australasian College of Physicians nominee)
Dr Samuel Ngan
(Royal Australasian College of Radiologists nominee)
Dr Robert Padbury
(Royal Australasian College of Surgeons nominee)
Date Received by MSAC Secretariat5 October 2001
Stage 1 - EligibilityEligible
Stage 2 - AssessmentCompleted
Stage 3 - Formulation of Advice to the MinisterThis assessment was considered by the MSAC at the 21 May 2003 meeting.

The MSAC recommended that on the strength of evidence pertaining to radiofrequency ablation (RFA), public funding should be supported for the percutaneous treatment of non-resectable hepatocellular carcinoma not being considered for surgical resection. The MSAC recommended that as there is currently insufficient evidence pertaining to RFA for colorectal metastases (CLM), public funding should not be supported at this time for this procedure for treating CLM. Since there is currently insufficient evidence pertaining to RFA for neuroendocrine liver metastases (NLM), the MSAC recommended that public funding should not be supported at this time for this procedure treating NLM.
Stage 4 - DecisionEndorsed by the Minister for Health and Ageing 8 August 2003
Stage 5 - ImplementationImplemented