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24.11.2020 | Original Article

Breast cancer-related lymphedema and its treatment: how big is the financial impact?

verfasst von: Tessa De Vrieze, Nick Gebruers, Ines Nevelsteen, Wiebren A. A. Tjalma, Sarah Thomis, An De Groef, Lore Dams, Vincent Haenen, Nele Devoogdt

Erschienen in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Ausgabe 7/2021

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Abstract

Purpose

Decongestive lymphatic treatment (DLT) is still the gold standard for treatment of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). With up to 17% of the patients treated for breast cancer developing BCRL, this morbidity imposes a tremendous financial burden for patients and society. Knowledge about this economic burden related to BCRL and its conservative treatment in a European setting is lacking. The aim of this prospective, longitudinal cohort study was to estimate the direct healthcare costs related to BCRL and its treatment in a European setting.

Methods

Patients with BCRL were treated with DLT consisting of an intensive treatment phase of 3 weeks, followed by a maintenance treatment phase of 6 months. Additionally, the follow-up period comprised 6 months. During these 3 weeks and 12 months, all direct costs associated with the treatment of BCRL and its sequelae were documented through billing prices and a self-developed questionnaire which was administered after the intensive treatment phase, and subsequently 3-monthly during the entire period.

Results

A total of 194 patients were enrolled in this study. Of these, 17% (n = 32) showed lymphedema stage I, 56% (n = 109) had lymphedema stage IIa, and 27% (n = 53) had lymphedema stage IIb. Total direct healthcare costs per patient were €2248.93 on average during the entire period of 3 weeks of intensive treatments and 12 months of maintenance decongestive therapy. Within these mean direct costs, €1803.35 (80%) was accounted for statutory health insurances, and €445.58 (20%) was out-of-pocket expenses for patients.

Conclusion

This study is one of the first standardized high-quality health economic analyses of BRCL treatment in Europe. The present study indicates that the price tag of BCRL treatment in Belgium is high not only for the health insurance but also for the patients

Clinical trial registration number

The study makes part of a double-blind, multi-center, randomized controlled trial (EFforT-BCRL trial), which is registered in clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02609724). CME reference S58689, EudraCT Number 2015-004822-33.

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Titel: Breast cancer-related lymphedema and its treatment: how big is the financial impact?
verfasst von: Tessa De Vrieze
Nick Gebruers
Ines Nevelsteen
Wiebren A. A. Tjalma
Sarah Thomis
An De Groef
Lore Dams
Vincent Haenen
Nele Devoogdt
Publikationsdatum: 24.11.2020
Verlag: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Erschienen in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Ausgabe 7/2021
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Elektronische ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-020-05890-3

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Breast cancer-related lymphedema and its treatment: how big is the financial impact?