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. 2007 Mar;14(2):81-6.
doi: 10.1155/2007/847604.

The cost of lung cancer in Alberta

Sandor J Demeter  1 , Philip Jacobs, Chester Chmielowiec, Wayne Logus, David Hailey, Konrad Fassbender, Alexander McEwan
Affiliations

The cost of lung cancer in Alberta

Sandor J Demeter et al. Can Respir J. 2007 Mar.

Abstract
in English, French

Background: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality. In addition, lung cancer has a significant economic impact on society.

Objective: To present an economic analysis of the actual care costs of lung cancer which will allow comparison with, and verification of, cost estimates that were developed through modelling and opinion.

Methods: A chart review was conducted of incident cases (circa 1998) of primary bronchogenic lung cancer. Cases were censored at two years from the date of diagnosis. Relevant clinical and health utilization data were collected. Health utilization data included hospital and institutional outpatient (ie, ambulatory clinic) costs. Cost estimates were derived for over 200 specific health services. The present analysis was performed from the economic perspective of the health care institution.

Results: A total of 13,389 health service events were captured with an estimated total cost of $8.4 million. Laboratory tests, diagnostic imaging and ambulatory visits constituted 86% of the service events while patient admissions and therapy constituted 76% of the costs. The vast majority of overall costs occurred just before, or within, three months of diagnosis. The median nonsmall cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer case costs were $10,928 (range $9,234 to $11,047) and $15,350 (range $13,033 to $21,436), respectively.

Conclusion: The results agree with the literature that the majority of lung cancer case costs are realized around the date of diagnosis (ie, early phase). The present study illustrates Canadian health care system lung cancer case costs based on actual care received versus hypothetical care algorithms.

HISTORIQUE :: Le cancer du poumon est la principale cause de morbidité et de mortalité imputable au cancer. De plus, le cancer du poumon a d’importantes répercussions économiques dans la société.

OBJECTIF :: Présenter une analyse économique des coûts de santé réels du cancer du poumon qui permettra de comparer et de vérifier les estimations de coûts élaborées par la modélisation et les avis.

MÉTHODOLOGIE :: On a effectué un examen des dossiers des cas incidents (vers 1998) des cancers bronchiques primaires. Les cas ont été répertoriés deux ans après la date du diagnostic. Des données d’utilisation clinique et de santé ont été colligées. Les données d’utilisation de santé incluaient les coûts hospitaliers et de consultations externes (clinique ambulatoire). Les estimations des coûts étaient dérivées de plus de 200 services de santé précis. La présente analyse a été effectuée selon la perspective économique de l’établissement de santé.

RÉSULTATS :: Au total, 13 389 événements de services de santé ont été colligés, pour un coût estimatif total de 8,4 millions de dollars. Les tests de laboratoire, l’imagerie diagnostique et les consultations externes représentaient 86 % des événements de service, tandis que l’admission et le traitement des patients représentaient 76 % des coûts. La majorité des coûts totaux étaient engagés juste avant ou pendant les trois mois suivant le diagnostic. Les coûts médians de chaque cas de cancer pulmonaire non à petites cellules et de cancer pulmonaire à petites cellules étaient de 10 928 $ (fourchette de 9 234 $ à 11 047 $) et de 15 350 $ (fourchette de 13 033 $ à 21 436 $), respectivement.

CONCLUSION :: Les résultats concordent avec les publications, selon lesquelles la majorité des coûts des cas de cancer du poumon sont engagés aux alentours de la date du diagnostic (c’est-à-dire la phase précoce). La présente étude expose les coûts des cas de cancer du poumon pour le système de santé canadien d’après les soins réels reçus, par rapport aux algorithmes hypothétiques de soins.

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Figures

Figure 1)
Figure 1)
Costs relative to month of diagnosis. NSCLC Nonsmall lung cancer; SCLC Small cell lung cancer
Figure 2)
Figure 2)
Median cost per nonsmall cell lung cancer case by month of diagnosis. ‘1’ represents the costs before and including the month of diagnosis
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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