Treatment cost of metastatic colon cancer in Turkey

Authors

  • Guvenc Kockaya Health Economics and Poliy Association, Ankara
  • Mine Polat Baskent University, Ankara
  • Albert Wertheimer Temple University, Philadelphia
  • Ahmet Ozet Gazi University, Ankara
  • Simten Malhan Baskent University, Ankara
  • İsmail Mert Vural Turkish Medicines and Medical Device Agency, Ankara
  • Akif Akbulat Turkish Medicines and Medical Device Agency, Ankara
  • Guven Artıran Turkish Medicines and Medical Device Agency, Ankara
  • Hakkı Gursoz Turkish Medicines and Medical Device Agency, Ankara
  • Saim Kerman Turkish Medicines and Medical Device Agency, Ankara

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7175/fe.v14i1.472

Keywords:

Oncology, Colon cancer, Cost-effectiveness

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Colon cancer is the third most common in the top cancer incidence list in Europe. In Europe 212,000 patients die every year due to colon cancer. In Turkey 120,000-130,000 new cancer patients are diagnosed every year, 7.1% of whom are diagnosed to have developed colon cancer. Metastases will occur in up to 50% of the patients who are newly diagnosed. Survival appears to be further prolonged to more than 20 months with new pharmaceuticals; however, these new pharmaceuticals increase the total cost of care. The aim of this study is to estimate the cost implications of new colon cancer treatment options for Turkey.
METHODS: Gazi University Hospital treatment protocols for colon cancer treatment were used. Cost of FUFA (5 FU/LV), FOLFIRI, FOLFOX, bevacizumab/FUFA, bevacizumab/FOLFIRI, bevacizumab/FOLFOX, irinotecan and irinotecan/cetixumab protocols were calculated. The cost of combination of protocols were calculated depending on a Markov analysis. The exchange rate was US$ 1 for TL 1.5.
RESULTS: Depending on the life expectancy the lowest total cost was established by FUVA (US$ 5,359). It was followed by FOLFIRI then FOLFOX and FOLFOX, US$ 14,144 and US$ 16,553, respectively. The lowest cost for each week of life expectancy was established by FUVA with US$ 98.
CONCLUSIONS: Only FUFA, FOLFIRI followed by FOLFIX, FOLFIRI/bevacizumab then FOLFOX then cetuximab, FOLFOX/bevacizumab then irinotecan then cetuximab/irinotecan and FOLFIRI/bevacizumab then FOLFOX then cetuximab/irinotecan were under the cost effectiveness curve. In addition no treatments ICER was under the WHO`s threshold for Turkey, except FOLFIRI then FOLFOX compared with FUVA.

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Published

2013-01-30

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 1 (2013)

Section

Original Research

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How to Cite

1.
Kockaya G, Polat M, Wertheimer A, et al. Treatment cost of metastatic colon cancer in Turkey. Farmeconomia. Health Economics and Therapeutic Pathways. 2013;14(1):19-25. https://doi.org/10.7175/fe.v14i1.472

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