The cost-effectiveness of mixed beam neutron-photon radiation therapy in the treatment of adenocarcinoma of the prostate.
The results of clinical trials in the treatment of adenocarcinoma of the prostate using, mixed beam neutron/photon therapy, neutrons alone and photon therapy in combination with hormone treatment are compared. These trials indicate that neutron therapy is superior to photon/hormone therapy in achieving local control. The costs of delivering these two different therapies in a large US academic radiation oncology center at Wayne State University (WSU) are compared. The cost of a full course of mixed beam therapy is $20,142 compared to $18,871 for the photon/hormone treatment. Although the WSU neutron facility is a state-of-the-art installation, it is also a prototype device; it is estimated that a modern neutron facility based on this design would operate more cost effectively reducing the cost of a course of mixed beam therapy to $18,532.
Gershenson Radiation Oncology Center, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Harper Hospital, Detroit, Michigan, USA. maughanr@kci.wavne.edu
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Maughan
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Brambs
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Porter
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Forman
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002017:Budgets; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008824:Michigan; D009502:Neutrons / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016522:Oncology Service, Hospital / Q000191:economics*; D017785:Photons / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal / Q000191:economics*
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal