Fox Chase Cancer Center Study Shows 3D CRT Is As Cost Effective As Conventional Radiation Treatment For Prostate Cancer

PHILADELPHIA (December 13, 1999) -- Three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D CRT) costs no more than conventional treatment, but is much more effective over the long term, a new Fox Chase Cancer Center study shows.

The study analyzed the diagnosis, planning, treatment and follow-up costs of 193 patients treated at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, PA.� "We found that the planning and treatment costs were more expensive when 3D CRT was done, but more patients who received conventional therapy suffered treatment failure and had to undergo additional treatment," said Eric Horwitz, M.D., Associate Member, Department of Radiation Oncology, Fox Chase.� "The follow-up costs were higher for patients treated with conventional radiation treatment thus shifting the balance of the costs."

"3D CRT is probably even more cost effective than the data indicates," Dr. Horwitz added.� "The patients were treated from 1987-1991 and 3D CRT has improved dramatically allowing us to give higher doses.� New studies show that only about 30 percent of patients who are now treated with 3D CRT suffer treatment failure requiring follow-up treatment, which would bring follow-up costs even lower."

In this study, at five years, 59 percent of the patients treated with conventional external beam radiation therapy had a rising PSA level, an indicator of prostate cancer.� These patients had to undergo additional follow-up treatment, usually hormonal treatment adding to the overall cost.� In comparison, 47 percent of patients who received 3D CRT suffered treatment failure.� These patients also had to undergo follow-up treatment, but because the percentage was lower, the overall follow-up costs were lower.

The Fox Chase study used 1998 Medicare data.� The mean total cost for patients treated with 3D CRT was about $8,955 compared to about $10,544 for patients who underwent conventional treatment.� This cost difference was not statistically significant.

Fox Chase Cancer Center is one of 37 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the nation.� The Center's activities include basic and clinical research; prevention, detection and treatment of cancer; and community outreach programs.