The impact of radiotherapy costs on clinical outcomes in breast cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

In cost-effective healthcare systems, the cost of services should parallel patient complexity or quality of care. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the cost of radiotherapy correlates with patient-related outcomes among a large cohort of breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant breast radiation.

Materials and methods

23,127 women with non-metastatic breast cancer undergoing radiotherapy after breast conservation surgery were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database from 2000 to 2009. Medicare reimbursements were used as a proxy for cost of radiotherapy, and Medicare claims were examined to identify local toxicities, and breast cancer-related endpoints. The impact of cost on these outcomes was studied

SUBMITTER: Boero IJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4758206 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature