Malignant mesothelioma among US Medicare beneficiaries: incidence, prevalence and therapy, 2016-2019.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive cancer caused by exposure to asbestos fibres. Mesothelioma patients who receive trimodal therapy (chemotherapy, surgical resection and radiation) survive longer than those who receive two or fewer therapy modalities. This study analyses the 2016-2019 Medicare claims data to estimate the burden of malignant mesothelioma and describe therapy patterns (when available) among continuously enrolled fee-for-service (FFS; Medicare parts A and B) beneficiaries.

Methods

We analysed claims and enrolment information from 42 529 117 FFS Medicare beneficiaries using three mesothelioma case definitions (broad, intermediate and narrow) with varying levels of diagnostic requirements. Results are presented as ranges of values for the three definit

SUBMITTER: Kurth L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10423587 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature