title: Cost analysis of adjuvant therapy with XELOX or FOLFOX4 for colon cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  XELOX and FOLFOX4 have both been recommended as adjuvant therapy for stage III colon cancer. This study compared the two regimens in terms of monetary costs, assuming equal efficacy of the therapies.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective financial audit was conducted of the medical records of patients treated with XELOX or FOLFOX4. All itemized expenses were classified as direct (chemotherapy, hospitalization, venous access and tests), related to adverse effects due to the adjuvant therapy, or societal (travel and time costs). The cost of supportive care was not included.
  
  
  RESULTS
  XELOX involved less total cost to the patient than FOLFOX4 (a difference of US$2857.68), fewer costs related to adverse effects ($668.97), and less travel ($26.07) and time ($390.93) expenditure per patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate that, overall, XELOX is a more affordable option than FOLFOX4 in China.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Y Q
authors.initials: YQ
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: H X
authors.initials: HX
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069287:Capecitabine; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics*; D002681:China; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010071:Oxaloacetates; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D010071:Oxaloacetates; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000069287:Capecitabine; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil
keywords: Adjuvant therapy; chemotherapy; colon cancer; cost analysis