Cost-effectiveness of Short-Course Radiation Therapy vs Long-Course Chemoradiation for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

Abstract

Key Points Question What is the cost-effectiveness of short-course radiotherapy vs long-course chemoradiotherapy for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer? Findings In this economic evaluation, short-course radiotherapy was the cost-effective strategy, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $133\u2009495 per quality-adjusted life-year. However, for the subset of patients with distal tumors, long-course chemoradiotherapy was the cost-effective approach, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $61\u2009123 per quality-adjusted life-year. Meaning Patients with locally advanced rectal cancer should be treated with preoperative short-course radiation therapy unless they require tumor downstaging prior to resection, in which case long-course chemoradiotherapy is cost-effective.