The economic burden of prostate cancer. A systematic literature overview of registry-based studies

Abstract

Introduction: Prostate cancer, the most frequent malignant disease in males in Europe, accounts for a great proportion of health expenditures. Aim: A systematic review of registry-based studies about the cost-of-illness and related factors of prostate cancer, published in the last 10 years. Method: A MEDLINE-based literature review was carried out between January 1, 2003 and October 1, 2013. Results: Fifteen peer-reviewed articles met the criteria of interest. In developed countries radiotherapy, surgical treatment and hormone therapy account for the greatest per capita costs. In Europe early stage tumours (4–7000 €, 2006), while in the USA metastatic prostate cancer (19 900–25 500 $, 2004) was associated with highest per capita expenses. In Europe the greatest costs incurred within the initial treatment (6400 €/6 months, 2008), while in the USA within the end-of-life care (depending on age: 62 200–93 400 $, 2010). Conclusions: Despite public health importance of prostate cancer, the cost-of-illness literature from Europe is relatively small. Orv. Hetil., 2014, 155(13), 509–520.