[Economic aspects of conformal radiotherapy]

The significantly higher human and material costs induced by the development of conformal radiotherapy cannot be ignored. In France, the present criteria for medical reimbursements underestimate the costs related to treatment preparation and evaluation, slowing down the implementation of new equipment and therapeutic practices. To fit the legitimate concerns regarding health cost containment, conformal radiotherapy should be submitted to appropriate economic analyses. These analyses are based on rigorous methods aimed at weighing the actual costs of conformal treatment by the benefits achieved in terms of tumor control, normal tissue complication and the patients' quality of life. The conclusions from the few studies published to date are rather in favour of conformal radiotherapy when compared to alternative therapeutic procedures. These early results need to be confirmed in order to support more rational reimbursement modalities to promote innovative treatments.