Cost of illness of renal cell carcinoma in Canada

Abstract

15560 Background: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common form of kidney cancer. RCC patients have limited treatment options and low survival rates, particularly for advanced-staged patients. Despite its importance, data on the economic burden of RCC are limited. Methods: A prevalence-based approach was used to estimate the aggregate annual societal cost burden of RCC in Canada. Key relationships represented in the model include the annual number of patients treated for RCC by age group and cancer stage; utilization of cancer treatments; unit costs; work-days missed, and wage rates. Results: The annual prevalence of RCC in Canada in 2005 was estimated to be 17,845 cases. The associated annual burden of RCC (Canadian $2005) was approximately $357 million ($19,981 per patient). Health-care costs and lost productivity accounted for 65.6% ($234 million) and 34.4% ($123 million) of the total, respectively. Reflecting its higher prevalence, the total cost associated with Stage II RCC accounted for the greatest share (67%) followed by Stage I, Stage III, and Stage IV RCC, at 19.8%, 11.6% and 1.6%, respectively. Conclusions: The economic burden of RCC in Canada is substantial at a cost of $357M which represents 2% of the total cost of illness of cancer in Canada ($16.64B, inflated to $2005). Interventions to reduce the prevalence of RCC have the potential to yield considerable economic benefits. [Table: see text]