Cost-effectiveness of MR-mammography vs. conventional mammography in screening patients at intermediate risk of breast cancer - A model-based economic evaluation

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze the cost-effectiveness of screening patients of intermediate risk of breast cancer with MR-Mammography (MRM) versus conventional mammography (XM).

Method: A decision model for both diagnostic modalities and a subsequent markov model for the simulation of follow-up costs and outcomes was developed. Input parameters were acquired from published literature for this markov modelling study. The expected cumulative costs and outcomes were calculated for both modalities in a 30-year timeframe in US-dollar ($) and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). A deterministic sensitivity analysis and a probabilistic sensitivity analysis incorporating 30,000 Monte Carlo iterations were performed to investigate the model stability.

Results: In total, XM with its consecutive treatments resulted in total costs of $ 5,492.68 and an average cumulative quality of life of 18.87 QALYs, compared to MRM with costs of $ 5,878.66 and 18.92 QALYs. The corresponding incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) for MRM was $ 8,797.60 per QALY - distinctly below international willingness-to-pay thresholds for cost-effectiveness. The results were confirmed within the limits of the sensitivity analyses.

Conclusions: In patients with intermediate risk for breast cancer due to their dense breast tissue, two-yearly screening with MRM may be considered as cost-effective.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Cost-effectiveness; Intermediate risk; MR-Mammography; Mammography; Screening.