Applications

1820 – In situ hybridisation (ISH) testing of tumour tissue to detect viral genomes (EBV and HPV)

Find out about the service or technology in application 1820 and the medical condition it addresses. You can also view the application documents, the deadlines for providing consultation input, and the outcome of the application when the MSAC process is complete.

  • Status Pre-assessment
  • Type New application
  • Pre-PASC consultation Open
  • Pre-MSAC consultation Not yet started
  • Outcome Pending

Application details

Applicant

The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia

Reason for application

New Medicare Benefits Schedule item.

Service or technology in this application

This is a laboratory test that uses a method called in situ hybridisation (ISH) to look for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) or Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genetic material inside cancer cells from a tumour sample. It helps confirm whether a cancer is truly related to one of these viruses by showing that the virus is present in the cancer itself, rather than elsewhere in the body, or from a prior infection. This information helps doctors to classify the cancer more accurately, gives information about likely outcomes for patients, and supports decisions about patient care.

Medical condition this application addresses

HPV and EBV are viruses that play an important role in the development and behaviour of many cancer types. For example, HPV is linked to cancers of the middle throat, including the tonsils and base of the tongue, and cancers in the anogenital area. EBV is linked to cancers of the upper throat behind the nose, as well as some lymphomas and conditions that occur after organ transplant. For these cancers, finding the virus in the tumour helps confirm the diagnosis and gives useful information about how the cancer may behave.

Consultation survey and deadlines

We welcome input from everyone. We are especially keen to hear from those with lived experience of the health condition, service or technology the application is addressing.   

Before providing your input, please read our Privacy Notice for MSAC consultation input to ensure you are comfortable with how we will use your input.  

The following consultation deadlines apply:

  • Pre-PASC consultation deadline: Friday 10 July 2026 11:59pm AEST
  • Pre-MSAC consultation deadline: To be confirmed

For other ways to provide input, see how to have your say.

Find out more about consultation.

Meetings to consider this application

This application will be considered at the following meetings:

  • PASC meeting: 13 to 14 August 2026
  • ESC meeting: To be confirmed
  • MSAC meeting: To be confirmed

Find out more about our meetings.

Outcome details

The outcome of this application is pending.

More information

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