Abstract
BackgroundThe main purpose of the study was to quantify the direct costs of oral cancer treatment to the healthcare system of Greece. Another aim was to identify factors that affect costs and potential cost reduction items. More specifically, we examined the relationship between stage of disease, modality of treatment and total direct costs.MethodsThe medical records and clinic files of the Oral and Maxillofacial Clinic of the Athens General Hospital "Genimatas" were abstracted to investigate clinical treatment characteristics, including length of hospitalization, modes of treatment, stage of disease etc. Records of 95 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSSC), with at least six months of follow-up, were examined. The clinical data was then used to calculate actual direct costs, based on 2001 market values.ResultsThe mean total direct costs for OSSC treatment estimated at euro 8,450 or approximately US$ 7,450. Costs depended on the stage of the disease, with significant increases in stages III and IV, as compared with stages I and II (p < 0.05). Multi-modality treatment applied mainly to patients in stages III and IV was the factor that affected the cost. Disease stage was also associated with the total duration of hospitalization (p < 0.05).ConclusionsThe clinical management of advanced oral cancer is strongly associated with higher costs. Although the ideal would be to prevent cancer, the combination of high-risk screening, early diagnosis and early treatment seems the most efficient way to reduce costs, and most importantly, prolong life.
Highlights
Oral cancer (OC) has been recognized as a significant health hazard with substantial management difficulties
Records belonged to patients been diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (OSSC) between January 1st 1993 and December 31st 1999
We present a calculation of the costs for an actual case of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSSC)
Summary
Oral cancer (OC) has been recognized as a significant health hazard with substantial management difficulties. The introduction of new diagnostic, pharmacological and treatment technologies of the last decade, contribute towards such high costs, the survival rate remains unchanged [2]. It is a relatively rare disease, the fact that healthcare costs are rising fast The main purpose of the study was to quantify the direct costs of oral cancer treatment to the healthcare system of Greece. Another aim was to identify factors that affect costs and potential cost reduction items. We examined the relationship between stage of disease, modality of treatment and total direct costs
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