Positron Emission Mammography
DESCRIPTION
Positron emission mammography (PEM) is a form of positron emission tomography (PET) that uses a high-resolution, mini-camera detection technology for imaging the breast. As with PET, a radiotracer, usually 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) is administered and PEM provides functional rather than anatomic information about the breast. PEM has been studied primarily for use in presurgical planning and staging; it also has been used to monitor therapy response and breast cancer recurrence. The radiation exposure from a PEM study is reported to be 23 times higher than for digital mammography.
POLICY
The use of positron emission mammography (PEM) is considered investigational.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
Any specific products referenced in this policy are just examples and are intended for illustrative purposes only. It is not intended to be a recommendation of one product over another, and is not intended to represent a complete listing of all products available. These examples are contained in the parenthetical e.g. statement.
We develop Medical Policies to provide guidance to Members and Providers. This Medical Policy relates only to the services or supplies described in it. The existence of a Medical Policy is not an authorization, certification, explanation of benefits or a contract for the service (or supply) that is referenced in the Medical Policy. For a determination of the benefits that a Member is entitled to receive under his or her health plan, the Member's health plan must be reviewed. If there is a conflict between the Medical Policy and a health plan or government program (e.g., TennCare), the express terms of the health plan or government program will govern.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Published clinical studies comparing PEM to MRI showed comparable breast-level sensitivity, although MRI had greater lesion-level sensitivity and more accurately depicted the need for mastectomy.
SOURCES
American College of Radiology. ACR Appropriateness Criteria® (2012, revised last in 2017) Breast cancer screening. Retrieved October 3, 2023 from https://acsearch.acr.org.
eviCore healthcare®. (2023, August). Breast imaging policy. Retrieved October 3, 2023 from www.evicore.com. (64 articles and/or guidelines reviewed)
National Comprehensive Cancer Network, (2023, March). NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) Breast cancer screening and diagnosis. V4.2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023 from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.
U. S. Preventive Services Task Force (2016, February) Screening for breast cancer: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. Retrieved April 6, 2017 from www.USPreventativeServiceTaskForce.org.
ORIGINAL EFFECTIVE DATE: 7/9/2011
MOST RECENT REVIEW DATE: 11/9/2023
ID_EC
Policies included in the Medical Policy Manual are not intended to certify coverage availability. They are medical determinations about a particular technology, service, drug, etc. While a policy or technology may be medically necessary, it could be excluded in a member's benefit plan. Please check with the appropriate claims department to determine if the service in question is a covered service under a particular benefit plan. Use of the Medical Policy Manual is not intended to replace independent medical judgment for treatment of individuals. The content on this Web site is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice in any way. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider if you have questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.
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