Cost-Effectiveness of Proton Therapy Compared With Photon Therapy in Breast Cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

Proton therapy reduces radiation exposure to the heart, lungs, and contralateral breast compared with conventional photon-based breast radiotherapy. However, its clinical benefit-particularly relative to photon deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH)-remains uncertain, and its high cost raises questions about cost-effectiveness.

Objective

To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of proton therapy compared with photon-based radiotherapy, including DIBH and free breathing (FB), among patients with breast cancer in Belgium.

Design, setting, and participants

This economic evaluation using state-transition microsimulation cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted between December 2024 and February 2025 from the Belgian health care payer perspective. The model incorporated

SUBMITTER: Busschaert SL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12828626 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature