Australian Government - Department of Health and Ageing

Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC)

Application 1108

Endobronchial ultrasound +/- fine needle aspiration in lung cancer staging and the diagnosis of mediastinal masses

Application No.

1108

Application NameEndobronchial ultrasound +/- fine needle aspiration in lung cancer staging and the diagnosis of mediastinal masses
Advisory PanelDr Kwun Fong
(Chair and MSAC member)
Associate Prof Frederick Khafagi
(MSAC member)
Dr Marshall Plit
(TSANZ nominee)
Dr Martin Phillips
(TSANZ nominee)
Dr Morgan Windsor
(ASCTS nominee)
Mr Phillip Antippa
(Australasian Society of Cardiovascular Surgeons nominee)
Ms Robin Toohey
(Consumers Health Forum nominee)
Date Received by MSAC Secretariat20 July 2006
Stage 1 - EligibilityEligible
Stage 2 - AssessmentCompleted
Stage 3 - Formulation of Advice to the MinisterThis assessment was considered by the MSAC at the 7 March 2008 meeting.

MSAC finds that the EBUS-guided procedures for the staging of non-small cell lung cancer, and the investigation of mediastinal/hilar masses and peripheral lung lesions is safer, more effective and likely to be cost saving when compared to mediastinoscopy and transbronchial needle aspiration.

MSAC finds that, though safe, there is insufficient evidence on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the EBUS-guided procedure for the evaluation of endobronchial cancer.

MSAC recommends that public funding should be supported for EBUS-guided procedures for the staging of non-small cell lung cancer, and the investigation of mediastinal/hilar masses and peripheral lung lesions.

MSAC recommends that public funding should not be supported for the EBUS-guided procedure for the evaluation of endobronchial cancer.
Stage 4 - DecisionAccepted by the Minister for Health and Ageing on 21 May 2008
Stage 5 - ImplementationImplemented