Application 1124 Cryotherapy for Recurrent Prostate Cancer and Renal Cancer

Reference No.

1124

MSAC advises that cryotherapy should not be listed on the MBS on an interim funding basis, as the criteria for listing with interim funding that are described in MSAC Guidelines are not met by this procedure, and noting that further data would still not be likely to be available during the interim funding period.

Although members considered that it is possible that a small cohort of younger, fitter men may benefit from the procedure in certain circumstances, MSAC’s advice is based primarily on the level of uncertainty in the clinical and economic assessments, and on the potential increase in inappropriate utilisation if public funding were provided.

Members agreed that the treatment of prostate cancer was a very important health issue, but that the field lacked data, not only in relation to the natural history of the disease, but also in relation to comparative safety, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of available treatment modalities.

Part B -Cryotherapy for renal cancer

Due to the lack of evidence that cryotherapy is as safe and as effective as currently available treatment, and the financial analysis indicating that public funding for this procedure would incur additional costs to the Australian Government and healthcare system, MSAC advises that it does not support public funding for cryotherapy for renal cancer.