title: Cost effectiveness of linear accelerators.
abstract: Cost analysis of radiation therapy and cost benefit analysis of Co60 versus linear accelerator therapy are useful exercises for radiation therapy departments. Such analysis will show that the costs of radiation therapy are significant. However, the cost benefit is most likely to be seen where survival is increased and morbidity is decreased. In centers where there is a high population of patients treated for palliation, the cost benefit is unlikely to be realized.
authors.affiliation: Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Graham
mesh_terms: D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003363:Cost Control; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000191:economics; D010315:Particle Accelerators / Q000191:economics*; D018787:Radiation Oncology / Q000191:economics* / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011872:Radiology Department, Hospital / Q000191:economics*
chemical_list: D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes