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Estimating the benefit and cost of radiotherapy for lung cancer

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 November 2004

Lisa Barbera ,
Hugh Walker ,
Farshad Foroudi ,
Scott Tyldesley  and
William Mackillop
Lisa Barbera
Affiliation:
Toronto Sunnybrook Regional Cancer Centre
Hugh Walker
Affiliation:
Queen's University Cancer Research Institute
Farshad Foroudi
Affiliation:
The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Scott Tyldesley
Affiliation:
British Columbia Cancer Agency
William Mackillop
Affiliation:
Queen's University Cancer Research Institute
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Abstract

Purpose: To estimate the benefit and cost of using radiotherapy (RT) in the initial management of lung cancer in the general population.

Methods: We identified indications for RT in the initial management of small cell and non–small cell lung cancer through a review of the literature. The proportion of patients with each specific indication for treatment was determined using epidemiological observations from cancer registry data and from the literature. We estimated the benefit gained from RT use for each indication in the model using values published in the literature. We estimated the cost of RT for each indication using published Canadian data. The total benefit and cost was calculated for all indications combined. Results are reported in 2001 Canadian dollars.

Results: The mean benefit was 7 months of survival for each lung cancer patient treated with curative intent and 3 months of symptom control for each patient treated with palliative intent. The average cost was $9,881 per life year gained and $13,938 per year of symptom control gained. Sensitivity analysis revealed values between $7,905 and $19,762 per year of survival gain and between $10,368 and $27,875 per year of symptom control gained.

Conclusions: Using RT in the initial management of lung cancer can provide considerable gains in survival and symptom control. The cost of RT for the initial management of lung cancer is inexpensive compared with a common cut off of $50,000 per life year gained.

Keywords

RadiotherapyLung neoplasmsCosts and cost analysis
Type
GENERAL ESSAYS
Information
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care , Volume 20 , Issue 4 , November 2004 , pp. 545 - 551
Copyright
© 2004 Cambridge University Press

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