title: Adjuvant fluorouracil, epirubicin and cyclophosphamide in early breast cancer: is it cost-effective?
abstract: Adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) in breast cancer exposes patients to morbidity, but improves survival. The FEC (fluorouracil, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide) regimen has taken over the prior role of CMF (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, fluorouracil). In this model, efficacy, tolerability and quality of life (QoL) data from the literature were incorporated with Norwegian practice and cost data in a cost-effectiveness approach. The FEC efficacy was calculated 3-7% superior CMF. There was no difference in quality of life. An 80-100% dose intensity range was employed, one Euro was calculated NOK 8.78 and a 3% discount rate was used. The total cost of FEC employing the friction cost method on production loss, including amount spent on drugs, administration and travelling ranged between 3,278-3,850 Euros (human capital approach 12,143-12,715 Euros). Money spent on drugs alone constituted 15-48%, depending on method chosen. A cost-effectiveness analysis revealed a cost per life year (LY) saved replacing FEC by CMF of 3,575-15,125 Euros. Adjuvant FEC is cost effective in Norway.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, University Hospital of North Norway, Norway. jan.norum@unn.no
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Norum
authors.forename: Mari
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Holtmon
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016527:Drug Costs; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008499:Medical Records; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009664:Norway; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D015251:Epirubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D005472:Fluorouracil; D008727:Methotrexate