Among contemporary treatment modalities for patients with prostate cancer, external beam radiotherapy (RT) was associated with the highest financial burden, according to a recent study published in Journal of Urology (2020;101097JU0000000000001423. doi:10.1097/JU.0000000000001423).
This study aimed to assess the degree of financial burden imposed by treatment, the factors contributing to that burden, and how different treatments compare with regard to financial toxicity, for patients with prostate cancer.
Differences in patient-reported financial burden were compared between active surveillance, radical prostatectomy, and external beam radiotherapy. Data was collected in The Comparative Effectiveness Analysis of Surgery and Radiation (CEASAR) study.
A total of 2121 patients were included in the study. Of these patients, 15% of patients reported a large burden of treatment costs within 6 months. This declined to 3% by year 5.
External beam radiotherapy was associated with higher financial burden than active surveillance and radical prostatectomy at 1 and 3 years when controlling for age, education, and income. Radical prostatectomy and active surveillance had similar rates of financial burden at all time points.
Additionally, age, race, education, and risk group were factors associated with greater financial burden.
“External beam radiotherapy was associated with the highest financial burden, even when controlling for age, education and income,” concluded the study authors.
“Prospective studies that directly measure out-of-pocket and indirect costs and account more thoroughly for baseline socioeconomic differences are warranted in order to identify those most at risk,” they added.—Lisa Kuhns
