National Coverage Analysis (NCA) Tracking Sheet

Cryosurgery Ablation for Prostate Cancer

CAG-00031N

Issue

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer seen in men and is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in men, trailing lung cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, adenocarcinoma of the prostate accounts for 47% of all new cancers detected in men, with an incidence of 330,000 cases per year. The number of cases is expected to increase dramatically over the next decade as a result of the aging of the population as well as improvements in, and access to, methods of diagnosis. Despite the high prevalence of this disease, the management of localized cancer remains controversial, with no standard clinical treatment algorithm. The two most common therapies are surgery (i.e., radical prostatectomy) and external beam radiotherapy. Within the past few years, brachytherapy and cryosurgery have gained attention as an alternative to surgery or radiation. Hormonal therapy is usually reserved for the symptomatic patient with systemic disease. Treatment and prognosis vary dependent upon the stage of cancer.

National Coverage Determinations

Benefit Category

Inpatient Hospital Services
Outpatient Hospital Services Incident to a Physician's Service
Physicians' Services

Requestor Information

Requestor Name Requestor Letter
Internal N/A
N/A

Important Dates

Formal Request Accepted and Review Initiated
02/01/1999
Expected NCA Completion Date
02/01/1999
Public Comment Period
02/01/1999 - 03/03/1999
Proposed Decision Memo Due Date
Proposed Decision Memo Released
Proposed Decision Memo Public Comment Period
Decision Memo Released
02/01/1999

Contacts

Lead Analysts
Samantha Richardson
Lead Medical Officers
John J. Whyte, MD, MPH

Medicare Benefit Category Determination Date

Actions Taken

Decision  issued February 1, 1999.

December 19, 2002

Tracking sheet created as part of the rollout of the Medicare Coverage Database. This record pre-dates the national coverage determination process announced in the Federal Register on April 27, 1999. That redesigned process provided timeframes for addressing coverage issues and a formal public comment period. The dates on this tracking sheet reflect only the date of the decision memorandum.