The Medicare Evidence Development and Coverage Advisory Committee (MEDCAC) will meet April 21 (starting at 7:30 a.m.) to focus on prostate cancer treatment. MEDCAC provides advice and recommendations to CMS about scientific evidence for what is covered by Medicare and Medicaid.

This meeting will focus on the current evidence about the risks, benefits and outcomes for radiation therapy (external beam and brachytherapy) for the treatment of localized prostate cancer.

As reported in DOTmed News, professional organizations with expertise in prostate cancer have varying guidelines on the best approach to treat the condition (see DM 11880).

CMS will explore the scientific evidence to determine how well radiation therapy for the treatment of localized prostate cancer affects health outcomes such as mortality (death rates) and morbidity (diseases and adverse effects on patients).

In its description of the meeting (links below), the government reported: With the advent of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test in the 1990s, the lifetime risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer in the United States has nearly doubled to twenty percent. However, the risk of dying of prostate cancer remains at approximately three percent. Once prostate cancer has been diagnosed, the decision on the best course of treatment can be complex. Numerous factors can influence the decision on how to proceed, including that some prostate cancers grow so slowly they would likely never cause significant problems during a patient's lifetime. The adverse effects of the available interventions and how they affect quality of life must also be considered. As with any item or service, CMS asks whether or not [treatment] improves health outcomes, i.e., its overall benefits and harms for patients.

Read all about the meeting:
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-3724.htm

Read about the questions the meeting will explore:
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/mcd/viewmcac.asp?where=index&mid=54