Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 12, 2025
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Treatment of Liver Metastases Using an Internal Target Volume Method for Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy
Published on: May 8, 2018
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Cost-Outcome of Radiotherapy for Local Control and Overall Survival Outcomes for Selected Cancers
Jesmin Shafiq1,2,3, Vikneswary Batumalai3,4, Karen Wong1,2,3
1Collaboration for Cancer Outcomes Research and Evaluation (CCORE), Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, New South Wales, USA.
Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology
|August 5, 2025
Summary
Radiotherapy (RT) offers significant survival benefits for cancer patients. This study found that the cost per 5-year local control and overall survival outcome with RT is relatively low for major cancers, highlighting its cost-effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Health Economics
- Radiotherapy Research
Background:
- Radiotherapy (RT) significantly improves local control (LC) and overall survival (OS) in cancer patients.
- Understanding the cost-effectiveness of RT is crucial for cancer care strategies and resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the average per capita cost of the first course of RT treatment.
- To determine the cost per LC and OS outcomes for various cancer types and stages.
Main Methods:
- Extracted RT activity data from 2017-2020 for lung, rectum, cervix, prostate, brain, and head and neck (H&N) cancers.
- Calculated average RT treatment course costs and costs per 5-year LC and OS outcomes.
- Adjusted costs for inflation and analyzed outcomes by cancer stage.
Main Results:
- The average RT treatment course cost ranged from $5598 (lung cancer) to $10,332 (prostate cancer).
- Cervical and H&N cancers showed the lowest costs per 5-year LC and OS outcomes.
- Costs per 5-year LC and OS were generally under $100,000, except for prostate cancer OS.
Conclusions:
- Radiotherapy is a cost-effective treatment for achieving significant 5-year LC and OS outcomes across major cancer types.
- Findings support RT's efficiency and can inform cancer service planning and investment decisions.
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