Abstract
Prostate cancer (pca) is the most common non-skin cancer among men in Canada and other Western countries. Increased prevalence and higher cost of newer treatments have led to a significant rise in the economic burden of pca. The objectives of the present study were to systematically review the literature on direct costs for the initial management of pca, and to examine the methodologic considerations across studies. Bibliographic databases were systematically searched for peer-reviewed articles in English. Studies were reviewed for methodologic considerations and mean direct cost of active surveillance or watchful waiting (as/ww) and initial treatments. Direct cost was standardized to 2011 Canadian dollars. After a review of abstracts and full-text papers, seventeen articles met the eligibility criteria and were included in the review. Studies were published during 1992-2010. The studies reported on health care systems in the United States, France, the United Kingdom, German, Italy, and Spain. Our review identified a lack of methodologic consensus, leading to variation in direct costs between studies. Nevertheless, results indicate a significant direct cost of pca treatments. The existing literature lacks methodologically rigorous studies on the direct costs of pca treatments specific to publicly funded health care systems. Additional studies are required to appreciate the direct costs of newer treatments and the impact of their adoption on the growing economic burden of pca management.
Highlights
Prostate cancer is the cancer most commonly diagnosed in men in Canada, with an age-standardized incidence of 121 cases per 100,000 in 20111—about double the number of incident cases estimated for lung and colorectal cancer in 2011
Studies were reviewed for methodologic considerations and mean direct cost of active surveillance or watchful waiting and initial treatments
The studies reported on health care systems in the United States, France, the United Kingdom, German, Italy, and Spain
Summary
Prostate cancer (pca) is the cancer most commonly diagnosed in men in Canada, with an age-standardized incidence of 121 cases per 100,000 in 20111—about double the number of incident cases estimated for lung and colorectal cancer in 2011 (respectively the second and third leading cancers in men). The pca incidence rate has increased over the years, to 122.5 cases per 100,000 in 2011 from 77.9 per 100,000 in 19821. Introduction of prostate specific antigen–based early detection and more awareness in Canada and elsewhere explains the rise in pca incidence over the years. In contrast with the increasing incidence, the pca mortality rate has gradually declined over the years to 21 deaths per 100,000 in 2011 from 26 per 100,000 in 1982. Detection of pca and better treatments have led to those declines in the mortality rate. The increased detection of pca in men 60 years of age and older, combined with better survival, has led to an increase in the number of individuals living with pca. Increased prevalence and higher cost of newer treatments have led to a significant rise in the economic burden of pca. The objectives of the present study were to systematically review the literature on direct costs for the initial management of pca, and to examine the methodologic considerations across studies
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
