title: [A microcost analysis of radiation therapy of localized prostate cancer].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Development of radiation technology provides new opportunities for the treatment of prostate cancer, but little is known about the costs of novel technologies.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this analysis was to compare the costs of conventional three-dimensional radiation therapy to normal and hypofractionated intensity-modulated radiation therapy for the treatment of localized prostate cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cost-analysis was performed based on the data of a Hungarian oncology center from health care provider's perspective. Irradiation time was assessed from the data of 100 fractions delivered in 20 patients. Unit costs for each component were calculated based on actual costs retrieved from the accounting system of the oncology center.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Average treatment delivery times were 14.5 minutes for three-dimensional radiation therapy, 16.2 minutes for intensity-modulated radiation therapy with image-guided and 14 minutes without image-guided method. Expected mean cost of patients undergoing conventional three-dimensional radiation therapy, normal and hypofractionated intensity-modulated radiation therapy were 619 000 HUF, 933 000 HUF and 692 000 HUF, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although normal and hypofractionated intensity-modulated radiation therapies have already been proven to be cost-effective, current reimbursement rates do not encourage healthcare providers to use the more effective therapy techniques.
authors.affiliation: Kancellária, Egészségügyi Gazdálkodási Igazgatóság, Pécsi Tudományegyetem Pécs, Rákóczi u. 2., 7633.|Egészségtudományi Kar, Egészségbiztosítási Intézet, Pécsi Tudományegyetem Pécs.
authors.forename: Antal Tamás
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Zemplényi
authors.affiliation: Orvostudományi Kar, Klinikai Központ, Onkoterápiás Intézet, Pécsi Tudományegyetem Pécs.
authors.forename: László
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mangel
authors.affiliation: Egészség-gazdaságtani Kutatóközpont, Eötvös Loránd Tudományegyetem Budapest.|Syreon Kutató Intézet Budapest.
authors.forename: Zoltán
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Kaló
authors.affiliation: Orvostudományi Kar, Klinikai Központ, Pécsi Tudományegyetem Pécs.|Egészségtudományi Kar, Egészségbiztosítási Intézet, Pécsi Tudományegyetem Pécs.
authors.forename: Dóra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Endrei
authors.affiliation: Egészségtudományi Kar, Egészségbiztosítási Intézet, Pécsi Tudományegyetem Pécs.
authors.forename: Imre
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Boncz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000191:economics; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000191:economics* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / Q000191:economics; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal / Q000191:economics; D061089:Radiotherapy, Image-Guided / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D050397:Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: costs and cost analysis; dose hypofractionation; hipofrakcionálás; költség és költségelemzés; prostatic neoplasm; prosztatarák; radiotherapy; sugárterápia