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The cost-effectiveness of mixed beam neutron-photon radiation therapy in the treatment of adenocarcinoma of the prostate

  • Epidemiology and Socio-Economical Aspects
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Summary

The results of clinical trials in the treatment of adenocarcinoma of the prostate using, mixed beam neutron/photon therapy, neutrons alone and photon therapy in combination with hormone treatment are compared. These trials indicate that neutron therapy is superior to photon/hormone therapy in achieving local control. The costs of delivering these two different therapies in a large US academic radiation oncology center at Wayne State University (WSU) are compared. The cost of a full course of mixed beam therapy is $20,142 compared to $18,871 for the photon/hormone treatment. Although the WSU neutron facility is a state-of-the-art installation, it is also a prototype device; it is estimated that a modern neutron facility based on this design would operate more cost effectively reducing the cost of a course of mixed beam therapy to $ 18,532.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gershenson Radiation Oncology Center, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Harper Hospital, 3990 John R., 48201, Detroit, Michigan, USA

    Richard L. Maughan & Jeffrey D. Forman

  2. Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA

    Richard L. Maughan & Jeffrey D. Forman

Authors
  1. Richard L. Maughan
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  2. Bridget Brambs
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  3. Arthur T. Porter
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  4. Jeffrey D. Forman
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Correspondence to Richard L. Maughan.

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Maughan, R.L., Brambs, B., Porter, A.T. et al. The cost-effectiveness of mixed beam neutron-photon radiation therapy in the treatment of adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Strahlenther Onkol 175 (Suppl 2), 104–107 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03038905

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