Applications

1485.1 – Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for intermediate thickness melanoma

Find out about the service or technology in this application 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 Complete
  • Type Re-application
  • Pre-PASC consultation -
  • Pre-MSAC consultation -
  • Outcome Supported

Application details

Reason for application

New MBS item.

Service or technology in this application

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNBx) is a procedure that is performed increasingly in Australia for patients with intermediate thickness melanoma, to determine if melanoma cells have spread to the sentinel lymph nodes.

SLNBx with excision of lymph node(s) is identified by a combination of blue dye (lymphotropic dye injection) and lymphoscintography/gamma probe, ideally performed at the time of the primary melanoma wide excision (although this is not always possible).

Type: Investigative

Medical condition this application addresses

Melanoma is a malignancy of skin pigment cells (melanocytes). The lifetime risk for melanoma in Australia is 1 in 24 for males and 1 in 35 for females. In 2011 there were 11,500 new cases diagnosed in Australia (Cancer Council Australia) and more than 1,500 die each year from the disease.

Previous applications

1485 – Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for intermediate thickness melanoma

Meetings to consider this application

  • PASC meeting: -
  • ESC meeting: 13 - 14 February 2020
  • MSAC meeting: 3 April 2020