Active surveillance for low-risk prostate cancer compared with immediate treatment: a Canadian cost comparison.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Clinical consequences of active surveillance compared with immediate treatment have been evaluated in patients with low-risk prostate cancer; yet, its financial benefits have not been adequately studied in Canada or elsewhere. Our study objective was to evaluate the direct costs associated with active surveillance and immediate treatment in the Canadian context.

Methods

We developed a Markov model with Monte Carlo microsimulations to estimate the Canadian cost of prostate cancer associated with immediate treatment and active surveillance strategies. The patients receiving active surveillance were assumed to receive delayed treatment at a rate of 8.35%, 4.17% and 2.1% per year for the first 2 years, years 3 to 5, and years 6 to 10 of follow-up, respectively. All co

SUBMITTER: Dragomir A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4084746 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature