MEDICAL POLICY SUBJECT: TRANSPUPILLARY EDITED DATE: 08/20/15, 08/18/16, 08/17/17 PAGE: 1 OF: 6 If a product excludes coverage for a service, it is not covered, and medical policy criteria do not apply. If a commercial product, including an Essential Plan product, covers a specific service, medical policy criteria apply to the benefit. If a Medicare product covers a specific service, and there is no national or local Medicare coverage decision for the service, medical policy criteria apply to the benefit. POLICY STATEMENT: I. Based upon our criteria and assessment of peer-reviewed literature, transpupillary thermotherapy has been medically proven to be effective, and therefore, medically appropriate for the following indications: A. Small choroidal melanomas located posterior to the globe that have minimal contact with the optic nerve; and B. Retinoblastomas with no evidence of vitreal or subvitreal seeding at the time of the thermotherapy. II. Based upon our criteria and assessment of peer-reviewed literature, transpupillary thermotherapy has not been medically proven to be effective and is considered investigational for all other indications, including but not limited to choroidal neovascularization. Refer to Corporate Medical Policy # 8.01.11 regarding Photodynamic Therapy for Subfoveal Choroidal Neovascularization. Refer to Corporate Medical Policy # 11.01.03 regarding Experimental and Investigational Services. POLICY GUIDELINES: The Federal Employees Health Benefit Program (FEHBP/FEP) requires that procedures, devices or laboratory tests approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may not be considered investigational and thus these procedures, devices or laboratory tests may be assessed only on the basis of their medical necessity. DESCRIPTION: Transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) is a technique in which heat is delivered through a dilated pupil to a lesion or lesions located in the posterior segment of the eye. TTT employs an infrared 810-nm diode laser as the heat source to achieve temperatures of 45 60 degrees C for a short period of time, which has a direct destructive or cytotoxic effect on tumor cells. TTT differs from hyperthermia based on the fact that hyperthermia is performed at lower temperatures (42-45 degrees C) which does not cause permanent tumor damage, but is thought to enhance the effects of radiotherapy or chemotherapy. TTT has been investigated as a treatment method for certain intraocular tumors such a choroidal melanoma and retinoblastoma and also has been proposed as a treatment method for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with age-related macular degeneration. Choroidal melanoma is an eye cancer that develops from the pigmented cells of the choroid, the sponge-like membrane that lies between the sclera and the retina. Choroidal melanoma is a primary cancer, which over time, can enlarge and cause the retina to detach. These tumors can also metastasize to other parts of the body (liver is most common site) and cause death. TTT is thought to allow for deeper heat penetration of the tumor than the photocoagulation method of treatment of choroidal melanoma, yet have fewer adverse effects on visual acuity. Retinoblastoma is a rare, malignant glioma of the retina that occurs in infants and young children. Retinoblastoma can occur in 2 forms, a genetic, hereditary variant and a non-genetic, non-hereditary form. Approximately 40% of children with retinoblastoma have the genetic form. TTT has been proposed as an alternative to the radical treatment method of enucleation and as an alternative to external beam radiation, which is associated with poor cosmetic results of the face and ocular region. A nonprofit independent licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association
PAGE: 2 OF: 6 The wet form of age-related macular degeneration is caused by the growth of abnormal, leaky blood vessels (CNV) that eventually damage the macula, the area of the eye responsible for central vision. TTT directed at choroidal neovascularization creates blood clots that seal the leaky vessels thus preventing further leakage and subsequent damage to the macula and central vision. TTT has been proposed as an alternative to photodynamic therapy, as TTT is not associated with the high expense of a photosensitizing drug. TTT has also been proposed as an alternative to laser photocoagulation coagulation due to its ability to treat the leakage with less overlying retinal damage. RATIONALE: Transpupillary thermotherapy as a primary method of treating intraocular tumors has shown promising short-term results in uncontrolled case studies. While further studies are needed to determine the long-term outcomes of TTT, the available evidence demonstrates acceptable safety and efficacy in the treatment of select patients with retinoblastoma and choroidal melanoma (e.g., Abramson, et al. 2004, Shields, et al. 1999, Shields, et al. 2002, Aaberg, et al. 2008, Pilotto, et al. 2009, respectively). According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI, March 2012), enucleation is reserved for patients with advanced unilateral disease intraocular disease with no hope for useful vision in the affected eye. Laser therapy (thermotherapy) may be used as primary therapy for small tumors or in combination with chemotherapy for larger tumors. Traditional photocoagulation has given way to thermotherapy. Systemic chemotherapy to reduce tumor volume (chemoreduction) and to avoid long-term effects of radiation therapy for patients with intraocular tumors has succeeded in rendering many eyes amenable to treatment with cryotherapy or laser therapy. The NCI states that TTT is also used in selected cases with deeply pigmented small choroidal melanomas in the posterior pole that have minimal or no contact with the optic nerve. TTT causes substantial tumor necrosis in choroidal melanomas up to 3.5 mm in thickness and can be used as a primary treatment or as an adjunctive method to plaque radiation therapy. TTT can be used in conjunction with plaque radiation therapy for medium-sized and larger melanomas as an adjuvant treatment to enhance the effects of radiation therapy and to minimize damage to normal ocular tissue. Enucleation remains the standard therapy for most large choroidal melanomas and melanomas that cause severe glaucoma or invade the optic nerve (NCI, Dec 2007). There is minimal published data regarding treatment of choroidal neovascularization with transpupillary thermotherapy. Studies are small and limited to retrospective analyses of uncontrolled case series. Preliminary, 2-year results from the TTT4CNV trial for occult CNV were presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting in October of 2004. 303 patients were enrolled and were either treated with TTT or a sham treatment. At 2 years, 47% of eyes in the active treatment group avoided modest or severe vision loss compared to 43% of patients in the sham group, which was not statistically significant. As with TTT for intraocular tumors, long-term follow-up is lacking and further trials of TTT are needed to compare this intervention with other treatment modalities (e.g., PDT). CODES: Number Description Eligibility for reimbursement is based upon the benefits set forth in the member s subscriber contract. CODES MAY NOT BE COVERED UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES. PLEASE READ THE POLICY AND GUIDELINES STATEMENTS CAREFULLY. Codes may not be all inclusive as the AMA and CMS code updates may occur more frequently than policy updates. Code Key: Experimental/Investigational = (E/I), Not medically necessary/ appropriate = (NMN). CPT: There is no specific code for transpupillary thermotherapy; 67299, unlisted procedure, posterior segment could be billed for this procedure. Copyright 2017 American Medical Association, Chicago, IL HCPCS: No specific code(s)
PAGE: 3 OF: 6 ICD9: 190.5 Malignant neoplasm of retina, retinoblastoma 190.6 Malignant neoplasm of the choroid, choroidal melanoma 362.16 (E/I) Retinal neovascularization, NOS ICD10: C69.20-C69.22 Malignant neoplasm of retina (code range) C69.30-C69.32 Malignant neoplasm of choroid (code range) H35.051-H35.059 (E/I) Retinal neovascularization (code range) REFERENCES: *Aaberg TM Jr, et al. Long-term results of primary transpupillary thermal therapy for the treatment of choroidal malignant melanoma. Br J Ophthalmol 2008 Jun;92(6):741-6. *Abramson DH, et al. Transpupillary thermotherapy as initial treatment for small intraocular retinoblastoma: technique and predictors of success. Ophthalmol 2004 May;111(5):984-91. *Algvere PV, et al. Transpupillary thermotherapy of predominantly occult choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration within 12 months of follow-up. Acta Ophthalmol Scand 2003 April;81(2):110-7. *Agurto-Rivera R, et al. Intravitreal triamcinolone with transpupillary therapy for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in age related macular degeneration. A randomized controlled pilot study [ISRCT N74123635]. BMC Opthalmol 2005 Nov 25;5:27. *American Academy of Ophthalmology. Preferred practice pattern. Age-related macular degeneration. 2005 Sep [http:// www.aao.org] accessed 6/6/14. Badiyan SN, et al. Outcomes of iodine-125 plaque brachytherapy for uveal melanoma with intraoperative ultrasonography and supplemental transpupillary thermotherapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2014 Mar 15;88(4):801-5. BlueCross BlueShield Association. Transpupillary thermotherapy for treatment of choroidal neovascularization. Medical Policy Reference Manual Policy #9.03.10. archived 2014 Feb 13. *BlueCross BlueShield Association Technology Evaluation Center (TEC). Special report: Current and evolving strategies in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration. 2005 Dec;20(11). Caminal JM, et al. Subthreshold transpupillary thermotherapy in management of foveal subretinal fluid in small pigmented choroidal leasions. Retina 2013 Jan;33(1):194-9. Chang MY, et al. Local treatment failure after globe-conserving therapy for choroidal melanoma. Br J Ophthalmol 2013 Jul;97(7):804-11. *Damato B, et al. Conservation of eyes with choroidal melanoma by a multimodality approach to treatment: an audit of 1632 patients. Ophthalmol 2004 May;111(5):977-83. *Gill HS, et al. Transpupillary thermotherapy in the management of juxtapapillary and parafoveal circumscribed choroidal hemangioma. Can J Ophthalmol 2005 Dec;40(6):729-33. *Gunduz K. Transpupillary thermotherapy in the management of circumscribed choroidal hemangioma. Surv Ophthalmol 2004 May-Jun;49(3):316-27. *Gustavsson C, et al. Transpupillary thermotherapy for occult subfoveal choroidal neovascularization: a 1-year, prospective randomized pilot study. Acta Ophthalmol Scand 2005 Apr;83(2):148-53. *Harbour JW, et al. Transpupillary thermotherapy versus plaque radiotherapy for suspected choroidal melanomas. Ophthalmol 2003 Nov;110(11):2207-14. *Journee de Korver JG, et al. Transpupillary thermotherapy of choroidal melanoma with or without brachytherapy: a dilemma. Br J Ophthalmol 1999;83(11):1212-3.
PAGE: 4 OF: 6 *Kuo HK, et al. Transpupillary thermotherapy in Chinese patients with choroidal neovascularization secondary to agerelated macular degeneration: emphasis on the influence of power setting. Ophthalmol 2008;222(2):117-22. Kwon HJ, et al. Treatment of serous macular detachment associated with circumscribed choroidal hemangioma. Am J Ophthalmol 2012 Jul;154(1):137-45. Kwon HJ, et al. Prognosis of choroidal melanoma and the result of ruthenium brachytherapy combined with transpupillary thermotherapy in Korean patients. Br J Ophthalmol 2013 May;97(5):653-8. *Lanzetta P, et al. Early vascular changes induced by transpupillary thermotherapy of choroidal neovascularization. Ophthalmol 2002 Jun;109(6):1098-104. *Liggett PE, et al. Preliminary results of combined simultaneous transpupillary thermotherapy and ICG-based photodynamic therapy for choroidal melanoma. Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging 2005 Nov-Dec;36 (6):473-80. *Lumbroso L, et al. Chemothermotherapy in the management of retinoblastoma. Ophthalmol 2002 Jun;109(6):1130-6. *Mashayekhi A, et al. Retinal break and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment after transpupillary thermotherapy as primary or adjunct treatment of choroidal melanoma. Retina 2008 Feb;28(2):274-81. *Midena E, et al. Subthreshold transpupillary thermotherapy for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration. Semin Ophthalmol 2004 Mar-Jun;19(1-2):25-8. *Midena E, et al. Choroidal vascular changes after transpupillary thermotherapy for choroidal melanoma. Ophthalmol 2003 Nov;110(11):2216-22. Mitamura Y, et al. Comparison of photodynamic therapy to transpupillary thermotherapy for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy. Eye 2009 Jan;23(1):67-72. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Retinoblastoma treatment (PDQ ) Health professional version. updated Mar 2012 [http:www.cancertopics/pdq/treatment/retinoblastoma/healthprofessional/] accessed 6/6/14. *National Cancer Institute (NCI). Intraocular (eye) melanoma treatment (PDQ ) Health professional version. updated Dec 2007 [http:www.cancertopics/pdq/treatment/retinoblastoma/healthprofessional/] accessed 6/6/14. *Newsom RS, et al. Transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization. Br J Ophthalmol 2001 Feb:85(2):173-8. *Newsom RS, et al. Results 28 months following transpupillary thermotherapy for classic and occult choroidal neovascularization in patients with age-related macular degeneration. Ophthalm Surg Lasers Imag 2005 Mar- Apr;36(2):94-102. Nowak MS, et al. A prospective study on different methods for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization. The efficacy of verteporfin photodynamic therapy, intravitreal bevacizumab and transpupillary thermotherapy in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Med Sci Monit 2012 Jun;18(6):CR374-80. *Ogergren A, et al. A prospective randomized study on low-dose transpupillary thermotherapy versus photodynamic therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Br J Ophthalmol 2008 Jun;92(6):757-61. Odergren A, et al. Vision-related function after low-dose transpupillary thermotherapy versus photodynamic therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Acta Ophthalmol 2010 Jun;88(4):426-30. *Pan Y, et al. Primary transpupillary thermotherapy for small choroidal melanomas. Br J Ophthalmol 2008 Jun;(92(6):747-50. Pilotto E, et al. Long-term choroidal vascular changes after iodine brachytherapy versus transpupillary thermotherapy for choroidal melanoma. Eur J Ophthalmol 2009 Jul-Aug;19(4):646-53.
PAGE: 5 OF: 6 *Robertson DM, et al. Transpupillary thermotherapy as a primary treatment for small choroidal melanomas. Arch Ophthalmol 1999 Nov:117(11):1512-9. *Rogers AH, et al. Transpupillary thermotherapy of subfoveal occult choroidal neovascularization. Curr Opin Ophthalmol 2001 Jun;12(3):212-5. *Rougier MB, et al. Complications and lack of benefit after transpupillary thermotherapy for occult choroidal neovascularization: 1- year results. Retina 2005 Sep;25(6):784-8. Sagoo MS, et al. Plaque radiotherapy for juxtapapillary choroidal melanoma. Tumor control in 650 consecutive cases. Ophthalmology 2011 Feb;118(2):402-7. *Seregard S, et al. Transpupillary thermotherapy as an adjunct to ruthenium plaque radiotherapy for choroidal melanoma. Acta Ophthalmol Scand 2001 Feb;79(1):19-22. *Sharma T, et al. Indocyanine green-dye-enhanced transpupillary thermotherapy of classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization. Ophthalmic Surg Laser Imag 2004;35:197-206. *Shields CL, et al. Thermotherapy for retinoblastoma. Arch Ophthalmol 1999 Jul;117(7):885-93. *Shields Cl, et al. Combined plaque radiotherapy and transpupillary thermotherapy for choroidal melanoma: tumor control and treatment complications in 270 consecutive patients. Arch Ophthalmol 2002 Jul;120(7):933-40. *Shields CL, et al. Primary transpupillary thermotherapy for small choroidal melanoma in 256 consecutive cases: outcomes and limitations. Ophthalmol 2002 Feb:109(2):225-34. *Shukla D, et al. Transpupillary thermotherapy for subfoveal neovascularization secondary to group 2A idiopathic juxtafoveolar telangiectasis. Am J Ophthalmol 2004 Jul;138(1):147-9. Soderberg AC, et al. Combination therapy with low-dose transpupillary thermotherapy and intravitreal ranibizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration: 1 24-month prospective randomized clinical study. Br J Ophthalmol 2012 May;96(5):714-8. *Spaide RF, et al. Large spot transpupillary thermotherapy for occult choroidal neovascularization. Arch Ophthalmol 2005 Sep;123(9):1272-3. *Stoffelns BM. Primary transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) for malignant choroidal melanoma. Acta Ophthalmol Scand 2002 Feb;80(1):25-31. *Tranos P, et al. Transpupillary thermotherapy for the treatment of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization associated with age-related macular degeneration. Acta Ophthalmol Scand 2004 Oct;82(5):585-90. *Tsai TH, et al. Transpupillary thermotherapy for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration in Taiwan. Eye 2007 Jun;21(6):721-6. Yarovoy AA, et al. Which choroidal melanoma should be treated with primary transpupillary thermotherapy? Our experience from 78 patients. Eur J Ophthalmol 2010 Jan-Feb;20(1):186-93. Yarovoy AA, et al. The comparison of ruthenium brachytherapy and simultaneous transpupillary thermotherapy of choroidal melanoma with brachytherapy alone. Brachytherapy 2012 May-Jun;11(3):224-9. *Zaldivar RA, et al. Clinicopathologic findings in choroidal melanomas after failed transpupillary thermotherapy. Am J Ophthalmol 2003 May; 135(5):657-63. *Key article KEY WORDS: Choroidal melanoma, Choroidal neovascularization, Retinoblastoma, TTT.
PAGE: 6 OF: 6 CMS COVERAGE FOR MEDICARE PRODUCT MEMBERS Based upon our review, transpupillary thermotherapy is not addressed in National or regional CMS coverage determinations or policies.