Trends in cost of treatment of lung cancer patients in 2014–2019 in Finland – a descriptive register study

Abstract

Aim

The aim of this descriptive study is to analyze the cost for the treatment of NSCLC and SCLC patients (2014–2019) in Finland. The primary objective is to understand recent (2014–2019) cost developments.

Methods

The study is retrospective and based on hospital register data. The study population consists of NSCLC and SCLC patients diagnosed in four out of the five Finnish university hospitals. The final sample included 4047 NSCLC patients and 766 SCLC patients.

Results

Cost of the treatment in lung cancer is increasing. Both the average cost of the first 12 months as well as the first 24 months after diagnosis increases over time. For patients diagnosed in 2014, the average cost of the first 24 months was 19,000 €and for those diagnosed in 2015 22,000 €. The annual increase in the nominal 24-month costs was 10.4% for NSCLC and 7.3% for SCLC patients.

Conclusion

The average cost per patient has increased annually for both NSCLC and SCLC. Possible explanations to the cost increase are increased medicine costs (especially in NSCLC), and the increased percentage of patients being actively treated.