Healthcare costs in women with metastatic breast cancer receiving chemotherapy as their principal treatment modality.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The economic costs of treating patients with metastatic breast cancer have been examined in several studies, but available estimates of economic burden are at least a decade old. In this study, we characterize healthcare utilization and costs in the US among women with metastatic breast cancer receiving chemotherapy as their principal treatment modality.

Methods

Using a large private health insurance claims database (2000-2006), we identified all women initiating chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer with no evidence of receipt of concomitant or subsequent hormonal therapy, or receipt of trastuzumab at anytime. Healthcare utilization and costs (inpatient, outpatient, medication) were estimated on a cumulative basis from date of chemotherapy initiation ("index

SUBMITTER: Vera-Llonch M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3141771 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature