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Cost Minimization Analysis of Hypofractionated Radiotherapy
Hannah L Yaremko1, Gordon E Locke2, Ronald Chow3,4
1Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada.
Current Oncology (Toronto, Ont.)
|February 12, 2021
Summary
Hypofractionated radiotherapy, including FAST-Forward and UK FAST regimens, offers significant cost savings for early-stage breast cancer treatment in Canada compared to standard radiotherapy. These shorter treatment courses provide equivalent outcomes while reducing healthcare expenses.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Radiotherapy
- Health Economics
Background:
- Early-stage breast cancer patients represent a significant portion of radiotherapy recipients in Canada.
- Hypofractionated radiotherapy regimens are proposed as a cost-saving alternative to standard treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the cost-effectiveness of hypofractionated radiotherapy regimens for early-stage breast cancer in a Canadian context.
- To quantify potential cost savings associated with FAST-Forward and UK FAST regimens compared to standard radiotherapy.
Main Methods:
- A cost-minimization analysis was performed using data from the FAST-Forward and UK FAST clinical trials.
- A comprehensive model of radiotherapy costs, including time, labor, and capital, was developed for a Canadian cancer center.
- Regimens analyzed included FAST-Forward 1 (26 Gy/5 fractions), FAST-Forward 2 (27 Gy/5 fractions), UK FAST 1 (28.5 Gy/5 fractions), UK FAST 2 (30 Gy/5 fractions), and a standard regimen (42.5 Gy/16 fractions).
Main Results:
- Hypofractionated regimens demonstrated cost savings per patient: FAST-Forward 1 ($487.99), FAST-Forward 2 ($464.99), UK FAST 1 ($360.01), and UK FAST 2 ($322.06).
- The FAST-Forward 1 regimen yielded the greatest reduction in infrastructure and human resources costs (36.42%) compared to the standard regimen.
- Sensitivity analysis projected maximum per-patient savings of $474.60 to $508.53 for FAST-Forward 1, translating to substantial annual savings province-wide.
Conclusions:
- All evaluated FAST-Forward and UK FAST hypofractionated regimens provide significant cost savings for early-stage breast cancer treatment compared to standard radiotherapy.
- These findings support the adoption of hypofractionated radiotherapy as a cost-effective strategy in Canadian cancer centers.
- The cost-modeling approach allows for adaptation to specific center variations, facilitating broader implementation and cost impact assessment.
