The use of interim fluorine 18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scans to determine response to tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment in individuals with gastrointestinal stromal tumors is considered medically necessary.
The use of positron emission tomography scans to determine early response to treatment (positron emission tomography scans done during a planned course of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy) in individuals with gastrointestinal stromal tumors on palliative or adjuvant therapy, as well as all other cancers, is considered investigational.
