Spacers in radiotherapy treatment of prostate cancer: Is reduction of toxicity cost-effective?

B.G.L. Vanneste*, M. Pijls-Johannesma, L. van de Voorde, E.N. van Lin, K. van de Beek, J. van Loon, B.L. Ramaekers, P. Lambin

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background and purpose: To compare the cost-effectiveness of treating prostate cancer patients with intensity-modulated radiation therapy and a spacer (IMRT+S) versus IMRT-only without a spacer (IMRT-O). Materials and method: A decision-analytic Markov model was constructed to examine the effect of late rectal toxicity and compare the costs and quality-adjusted Life Years (QALYs) of IMRT-O and IMRT+S. The main assumption of this modeling study was that disease progression, genito-urinary toxicity and survival were equal for both comparators. Results: For all patients, IMRT+S revealed a lower toxicity than IMRT-O. Treatment follow-up and toxicity costs for IMRT-O and IMRT+S amounted to 1604 and 1444, respectively, thus saving 160 on the complication costs at an extra charge of 1700 for the spacer in IMRT+S. The QALYs yielded for IMRT-O and IMRT+S were 3.542 and 3.570, respectively. This results in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of 55,880 per QALY gained. For a ceiling ratio of 80,000, IMRT+S had a 77% probability of being cost-effective. Conclusion: IMRT+S is cost-effective compared to IMRT-O based on its potential to reduce radiotherapy-related toxicity.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)276-281
JournalRadiotherapy and Oncology
Volume114
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2015

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