Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of this study was to conduct a retrospective database analysis to describe the chemotherapy treatment patterns and outcomes of patients with gastric cancer.MethodsIndividuals diagnosed with gastric cancer were identified from the IMS Oncology Database, which contains electronic medical record (EMR) data collected from a variety of community practices, and the Truven Health MarketScan® Research database, an administrative claims database. Eligible patients were 18 years of age or older and had an ICD-9 code 151.0–151.9. Patients were excluded if they had evidence of cancer within 6 months of the index diagnosis.ResultsThere were 5257 eligible patients identified in EMR data: 1982 (37.7 %) of these patients also had data regarding chemotherapy treatments. Of the 1982 patients who received first-line therapy, 42.3 %, 18.1 %, and 7.9 % went on to receive a second, third, and fourth line of chemotherapy, respectively. There were 11891 eligible patients identified in the administrative database; 5299 (44.6 %) had data regarding chemotherapy. Of those initiating chemotherapy, 2888 (54.5 %) received a second line and 1598 (30.2 %) received a third line of treatment. The average total cost of care during first-line therapy was $40,811 [standard deviation (SD) = $49,916], which was incurred over an average of 53.5 (SD = 63.4) days. A similar pattern was evident in second-line treatment (mean/SD, $26,588/$33,301) over 41.2 (SD = 55.7) days.ConclusionsCosts and duration of care received vary among gastric cancer patients in the U.S. There is a need to understand which regimens may be associated with better health outcomes and to standardize treatment as appropriate.
Highlights
Gastric cancer is the 5th most common cancer worldwide, but is relatively less common in the United States (U.S.), where it has the 16th highest incidence rate of all cancers
Individuals diagnosed with gastric cancer were identified from the IMS Oncology Database, which contains electronic medical record (EMR) data collected from a variety of community practices, and the Truven Health MarketScanÒ Research database, an administrative claims database
Costs and duration of care received vary among gastric cancer patients in the U.S There is a need to understand which regimens may be associated with better health outcomes and to standardize treatment as appropriate
Summary
Gastric cancer is the 5th most common cancer worldwide, but is relatively less common in the United States (U.S.), where it has the 16th highest incidence rate of all cancers. In 2014, it is estimated that 22,220 new cases of gastric cancer were diagnosed and 10,990 patients died of gastric cancer [1]. Those diagnosed with early-stage disease may be cured of their disease, the prognosis for most patients is poor. The 5-year relative survival rate for patients diagnosed with localized disease is 64.1 %, but this rate declines to only 4.2 % for those diagnosed with metastatic disease [2]. For patients with advanced or metastatic disease or for postoperative therapy, the NCCN (National Comprehensive Cancer Network) guidelines currently recommend the use of platinum plus fluoropyrimidine as first-line therapy [3]. The aim of this study was to conduct a retrospective database analysis to describe the chemotherapy treatment patterns and outcomes of patients with gastric cancer
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