Cost of Ovarian Cancer Care Can Exceed $200K Annually, Depending on Treatment Stage

Ovarian cancer care is quite expensive and varies by care phase, age category, and geographic region, with the highest cost of care seen in the start of care and end-of-life phases of care, according to a study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Ovarian cancer care costs are likely to increase as newer, more effective, but expensive treatment regimens become available. However, there is little information available on the current cost of care for ovarian cancer across all phases–from diagnosis to end-of-life care. 

In this study, Dr. Naomi Adjei of the Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, and colleagues estimated the real-world mean and the median cost of ovarian cancer care within the first 5 years after diagnosis. They analyzed these costs based on patients’ phase of care, age, race/ethnicity, and geographic region.

“Given recent advances in the availability and breadth of novel therapeutic agents for ovarian cancer treatment, along with the rising cost of cancer care and associated financial toxicity, current cost estimates are needed,” Dr. Adjei and colleagues wrote.

The researchers analyzed data from 7913 patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2020. They also used claims data from Optum’s deidentified Clinformatics Data Mart database, which includes inpatient, outpatient, and prescription claims for commercial insurance and Medicare beneficiaries nationwide.

Dr. Adjei and colleagues found that the mean cost per year for ovarian cancer was highest during the start of care (more than $ 200000) and the end of life (more than $129000). The risk was slightly lower during the continuing care phase, between  $26000 and $88000.

The study found that older patients had higher healthcare costs during the continuing care phase but lower costs during the end-of-life care phase than younger patients. In addition, the cost of ovarian cancer varies by geographic location, regardless of the phase of care. However, researchers found no significant association between race or ethnicity and healthcare costs.

“Patients with ovarian cancer experience considerable economic burdens,” the researchers wrote. “Because effective screening is not available to decrease the incidence of ovarian cancer, future research should focus on strategies to enhance the management of ovarian cancer care expenses and improve high-quality, value-based care.”

Source: Healio

Journal: AJOG