An estimate of the annual direct cost of treating cutaneous melanoma

Although the survival benefits of early stage melanoma have been clearly documented, the potential economic impact of early versus late stage disease has not been assessed.

Our purpose was to estimate the annual direct cost of diagnosing and treating melanoma, based on the number of projected cases of melanoma entering each stage in 1997.

A model was constructed with assumptions derived from the literature and clinical experience at the Massachusetts General Hospital Melanoma Center and the Boston University Medical Center. Cost estimates were based on 1997 Boston area Medicare reimbursements.

The annual direct cost of treating newly diagnosed melanoma in 1997 was estimated to be $563 million. Stage I and II disease each comprised about 5% of the total cost; stage III and stage IV disease consumed 34% and 55% of the total cost, respectively. About 90% of the total annual direct cost of treating melanoma in 1997 was attributable to less than 20% of patients (those patients with advanced disease, that is, stage III and stage IV).

In addition to the potential survival advantages, aggressive primary prevention through sun protection and intensive screening to enhance earlier detection should reduce the economic burden of melanoma care.