Oncology Imaging Guidelines

Covers advanced, disease- and stage-specific imaging (CT, MRI, PET/CT fusion and selected tracers 18F‑FDG, 68Ga‑DOTATATE, 11C‑Choline, 18F‑Fluciclovine, bone scan, octreotide/68Ga-DOTATATE, etc.) per diagnosis-specific criteria, while excluding routine surveillance, PET for infection/inflammation/trauma/CNS metastases or lesions <8 mm, non‑listed PET tracers (e.g., 18F‑Na), PEM and most MRS uses, and many PET requests for rare cancers unless justified. Key requirements: recent clinical evaluation within 60 days, histologic confirmation (or documented contraindication), relevant prior imaging and tumor‑marker documentation, timing rules (delay PET/CT ≥12 weeks post‑radiation unless MD review), and contraindications for GBCA when eGFR <30 (with specified contrast/allergy management).

"MRI Brain without and with contrast (CPT 70553) is the recommended study for evaluation of suspected or known brain metastases."