Costs of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy compared to conventional radiotherapy in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer – a micro-costing study using Time-Driven Activity Based Costing (TDABC)

Abstract Background Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Brazil. Radiotherapy is an important therapeutic option, but the techniques used remain subjects of discussion. In this study, we compared the costs of conventional radiotherapy (CRT) and stereotactic ablative...

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Main Authors: Fernando Henrique de Albuquerque Maia, Karina Gondim Moutinho da Conceição Vasconcelos, Heloisa de Andrade Carvalho, Patrícia Coelho de Soárez
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-11-01
Series:BMC Health Services Research
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-11969-y
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author Fernando Henrique de Albuquerque Maia
Karina Gondim Moutinho da Conceição Vasconcelos
Heloisa de Andrade Carvalho
Patrícia Coelho de Soárez
author_facet Fernando Henrique de Albuquerque Maia
Karina Gondim Moutinho da Conceição Vasconcelos
Heloisa de Andrade Carvalho
Patrícia Coelho de Soárez
author_sort Fernando Henrique de Albuquerque Maia
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Brazil. Radiotherapy is an important therapeutic option, but the techniques used remain subjects of discussion. In this study, we compared the costs of conventional radiotherapy (CRT) and stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) in the treatment of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods This cost analysis study adopted a micro-costing approach, following the TDABC (Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing) methodology. The study was conducted at a specialized public cancer hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. The analysis involved seven macro-processes related to radiotherapy treatment, identifying resources, costs, and time estimates for each step. Results The cost analysis revealed that SABR treatment for NSCLC is significantly cheaper than CRT. The direct costs of SABR treatment ranged from $2,777.25 to $3,797.49, while CRT ranged from $5,562.65 to $6,052.94. The cost related to CRT treatment constituted more than 80% of the total costs, whereas in SABR, it ranges from 59 to 68%. Planning represented 9% to 10% of the cost in CRT, increasing to 22% to 30% in SABR. Conclusions The results highlight that SABR treatment is a cheaper option for early-stage NSCLC patients when compared to CRT. Furthermore, the increased time required for CRT treatment limits the number of patients who can be treated. These results may influence healthcare policies and the financing of the healthcare system, directly benefiting patients and promoting the efficient allocation of resources.
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spelling doaj-art-3beb3eb515e04aafaf86935aa825ec7e2025-08-20T02:51:42ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632024-11-0124111410.1186/s12913-024-11969-yCosts of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy compared to conventional radiotherapy in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer – a micro-costing study using Time-Driven Activity Based Costing (TDABC)Fernando Henrique de Albuquerque Maia0Karina Gondim Moutinho da Conceição Vasconcelos1Heloisa de Andrade Carvalho2Patrícia Coelho de Soárez3Departamento de Medicina Preventiva, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao PauloServico de Radioterapia, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Instituto do Cancer do Estado de Sao Paulo, Universidade de Sao Paulo (ICESP)Departamento de Radiologia e Oncologia, Divisao de Radioterapia, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao PauloDepartamento de Medicina Preventiva, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao PauloAbstract Background Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Brazil. Radiotherapy is an important therapeutic option, but the techniques used remain subjects of discussion. In this study, we compared the costs of conventional radiotherapy (CRT) and stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) in the treatment of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods This cost analysis study adopted a micro-costing approach, following the TDABC (Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing) methodology. The study was conducted at a specialized public cancer hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. The analysis involved seven macro-processes related to radiotherapy treatment, identifying resources, costs, and time estimates for each step. Results The cost analysis revealed that SABR treatment for NSCLC is significantly cheaper than CRT. The direct costs of SABR treatment ranged from $2,777.25 to $3,797.49, while CRT ranged from $5,562.65 to $6,052.94. The cost related to CRT treatment constituted more than 80% of the total costs, whereas in SABR, it ranges from 59 to 68%. Planning represented 9% to 10% of the cost in CRT, increasing to 22% to 30% in SABR. Conclusions The results highlight that SABR treatment is a cheaper option for early-stage NSCLC patients when compared to CRT. Furthermore, the increased time required for CRT treatment limits the number of patients who can be treated. These results may influence healthcare policies and the financing of the healthcare system, directly benefiting patients and promoting the efficient allocation of resources.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-11969-yNon-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR)Cost analysisTDABC (Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing)
spellingShingle Fernando Henrique de Albuquerque Maia
Karina Gondim Moutinho da Conceição Vasconcelos
Heloisa de Andrade Carvalho
Patrícia Coelho de Soárez
Costs of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy compared to conventional radiotherapy in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer – a micro-costing study using Time-Driven Activity Based Costing (TDABC)
BMC Health Services Research
Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR)
Cost analysis
TDABC (Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing)
title Costs of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy compared to conventional radiotherapy in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer – a micro-costing study using Time-Driven Activity Based Costing (TDABC)
title_full Costs of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy compared to conventional radiotherapy in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer – a micro-costing study using Time-Driven Activity Based Costing (TDABC)
title_fullStr Costs of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy compared to conventional radiotherapy in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer – a micro-costing study using Time-Driven Activity Based Costing (TDABC)
title_full_unstemmed Costs of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy compared to conventional radiotherapy in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer – a micro-costing study using Time-Driven Activity Based Costing (TDABC)
title_short Costs of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy compared to conventional radiotherapy in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer – a micro-costing study using Time-Driven Activity Based Costing (TDABC)
title_sort costs of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy compared to conventional radiotherapy in the treatment of non small cell lung cancer a micro costing study using time driven activity based costing tdabc
topic Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR)
Cost analysis
TDABC (Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing)
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-11969-y
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