Geographic Disparities and Payment Variation for Immediate Lymphatic Reconstruction in Massachusetts.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about practice patterns and payments for immediate lymphatic reconstruction (ILR). This study aims to evaluate trends in ILR delivery and billing practices. METHODS: We queried the Massachusetts All-Payer Claims Database between 2016 and 2020 for patients who underwent lumpectomy or mastectomy with axillary lymph node dissection for oncologic indications. We further identified patients who underwent lymphovenous bypass on the same date as tumor resection. We used ZIP code data to analyze the geographic distribution of ILR procedures and calculated physician payments for these procedures, adjusting for inflation. We used multivariable logistic regression to identify variables, which predicted receipt of ILR. RESULTS: In total, 2862 patients underwent axillary lymph node dissection over the study period. Of these, 53 patients underwent ILR. Patients who underwent ILR were younger (55.1 vs 59.3 years, P = 0.023). There were no significant differences in obesity, diabetes, or smoking history between the two groups. A greater percentage of patients who underwent ILR had radiation (83% vs 67%, P = 0.027). In multivariable regression, patients residing in a county neighboring Boston had 3.32-fold higher odds of undergoing ILR (95% confidence interval: 1.76-6.25; P < 0.001), while obesity, radiation therapy, and taxane-based chemotherapy were not significant predictors. Payments for ILR varied widely. CONCLUSIONS: In Massachusetts, patients were more likely to undergo ILR if they resided near Boston. Thus, many patients with the highest known risk for breast cancer-related lymphedema may face barriers accessing ILR. Greater awareness about referring high-risk patients to plastic surgeons is needed.

Economic implications of ACOSOG Z0011 trial application into clinical practice at the European Institute of Oncology.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG) Z0011 trial demonstrated that in clinically node-negative women undergoing breast-conserving therapy (BCT) and found to have metastases to 1 or 2 sentinel nodes, sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) alone resulted in rates of local control, disease-free survival, and overall survival equivalent to those seen after axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), but with significantly lower morbidity. Application of the Z0011 guidelines resulted in fewer ALNDs without affecting locoregional recurrence or survival. Changes in practice inevitably affect health care costs. The current study investigated the actual impact of applying the Z0011 guidelines to eligible patients and determined the costs of care at a single institution. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We compared axillary nodal management and cost data in breast cancer patients who met the Z0011 criteria and were treated with BCT and SLNB. Patients were allocated into two mutually exclusive cohorts based on the date of surgery: pre-Z0011 (June 2013 to December 2015) and post-Z0011 (June 2016 to December 2018). RESULTS: Of 3912 patients, 433 (23%) and 357 (17.6%) patients in the pre- and post-Z0011 era had positive lymph nodes. ALND decreased from 15.3% to 1.57% in the post-Z0011 era. The mean overall cost of SLNB in the pre-Z0011 cohort was €1312 per patient, while that for SLNB with completion ALND was €2613. Intraoperative frozen section (FS) use decreased from 100% to 12%. Omitting the FS decreased mean costs from €247 to €176. The mean total cost in the pre-Z0011 cohort was €1807 per patient, while in the post-Z0011 cohort it was €1498. The application of Z0011 resulted in an overall mean cost savings of €309 for each patient. CONCLUSIONS: Application of the Z0011 criteria to patients undergoing BCT at our institution results in more than half a million Euro cost savings.

Impact of the introduction of formal D2 lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer in a Western setting.

Background: Two members from an academic tertiary hospital went to the National Cancer Institute in Tokyo, Japan, to learn how to perform an adequate D2 lymphadenectomy and to then introduce this technique in the surgical care of patients undergoing surgery for gastric cancer at a Western hospital. We aimed to compare the perioperative outcomes and long-term survival of Western patients who underwent gastric resection, performed by these 2 surgeons, before and after the surgeons' shortcourse technical training in Japan. Methods: We conducted a retrospective comparative study of all patients (n = 27 before training and n = 79 after training) who underwent gastric resection for cancer by the same 2 surgeons between September 2007 and December 2017 at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec - Université Laval (Québec, Canada). We collected data on patient demographic, clinical, surgical, pathological and treatment characteristics, as well as long-term survival and complications. Results: In the post-training group, the number of sampled lymph nodes was higher (median 33 v. 14, p < 0.0001), but this increase did not result in a higher number of histologically positive lymph nodes (p = 0.35). The rate of complications was lower in the post-training group (15.2% v. 48.2%, p = 0.002). The hospital stay was shorter in the post-training group (11 [standard deviation (SD) 7] v. 23 [SD 45] d, p = 0.03). The median survival was higher in the post-training group (47 v. 29 mo, p = 0.03). Conclusion: These results suggest that a short-course technical training in D2 lymphadenectomy, completed in Japan, improved lymph node sampling, decreased postoperative complications and improved survival of patients undergoing surgery for gastric cancer in a Western setting.

Contexte: Deux membres d'un centre hospitalier universitaire en soins tertiaires se sont rendus à l'Institut national du cancer de Tokyo, au Japon, pour apprendre à effectuer une lymphadénectomie de type D2 et ensuite intégrer cette technique aux interventions chirurgicales visant à contrer un cancer de l'estomac dans un hôpital occidental. L'objectif était de comparer les issues périopératoires et la survie à long terme des patients qui ont subi une gastrectomie réalisée par les 2 chirurgiens, avant et après leur formation technique de courte durée au Japon. Méthodes: Nous avons mené une étude rétrospective comparative portant sur tous les patients (n = 27 avant la formation, et n = 79 après la formation) qui, entre septembre 2007 et décembre 2017, ont subi une gastrectomie pour un cancer réalisée par les 2 chirurgiens au Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec ­ Université Laval (Québec, Canada). Nous avons recueilli des données démographiques, cliniques, chirurgicales et pathologiques ainsi que des données sur les traitements, la survie à long terme et les complications. Résultats: Dans le groupe de patients opérés après la formation, un plus grand nombre de ganglions lymphatiques a été prélevé (médiane 33 c. 14; p < 0,0001), mais cette augmentation n'était pas accompagnée d'un plus grand nombre d'analyses histologiques positives (p = 0,35). Le taux de complication était plus faible dans ce groupe (15,2 % c. 48,2 %; p = 0,002), et l'hospitalisation, plus courte (11 jours [écart type (É.-T.) 7] c. 23 jours [É.-T. 45]; p = 0,03). De plus, la durée de survie médiane était plus élevée dans ce groupe (47 mois c. 29 mois; p = 0,03). Conclusion: Ces résultats laissent croire qu'une courte formation technique sur la lymphadénectomie de type D2, réalisée au Japon, améliore le prélèvement de ganglions lymphatiques, diminue les complications postopératoires et prolonge la survie des patients qui subissent une chirurgie pour un cancer de l'estomac en Occident.

A cost-effectiveness analysis of three approaches for lymph node assessment in patients with low- and intermediate-risk endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the cost-effectiveness of sentinel lymph node mapping compared to risk factor assessment and routine full lymph node dissection for the assessment of lymph nodes in patients with low- and intermediate-risk endometrioid endometrial cancer. METHODS: A decision-analytic model was designed to compare three lymph node assessment strategies in terms of costs and effects: 1) sentinel lymph node mapping; 2) post-operative risk factor assessment (adjuvant therapy based on clinical and histological risk factors); 3) full lymph node dissection. Input data were derived from systematic literature searches and expert opinion. QALYs were used as measure of effectiveness. The model was built from a healthcare perspective and the impact of uncertainty was assessed with sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: Base-case analysis showed that sentinel lymph node mapping was the most effective strategy for lymph node assessment in patients with low- and intermediate-risk endometrial cancer. Compared to risk factor assessment it was more costly, but the incremental cost effectiveness ratio stayed below a willingness-to-pay threshold of €20,000 with a maximum of €9637/QALY. Sentinel lymph node mapping was dominant compared to lymph node dissection since it was more effective and less costly. Sensitivity analyses showed that the outcome of the model was robust to changes in input values. With a willingness-to-pay threshold of €20,000 sentinel lymph node mapping remained cost-effective in at least 74.3% of the iterations. CONCLUSION: Sentinel lymph node mapping is the most cost-effective strategy to guide the need for adjuvant therapy in patients with low and intermediate risk endometrioid endometrial cancer.

Optimizing the risk threshold of lymph node involvement for performing extended pelvic lymph node dissection in prostate cancer patients: a cost-effectiveness analysis.

BACKGROUND: Extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND) may be omitted in prostate cancer (CaP) patients with a low predicted risk of lymph node involvement (LNI). The aim of the current study was to quantify the cost-effectiveness of using different risk thresholds for predicted LNI in CaP patients to inform decision making on omitting ePLND. METHODS: Five different thresholds (2%, 5%, 10%, 20%, and 100%) used in practice for performing ePLND were compared using a decision analytic cohort model with the 100% threshold (i.e., no ePLND) as reference. Compared outcomes consisted of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and costs. Baseline characteristics for the hypothetical cohort were based on an actual Dutch patient cohort containing 925 patients who underwent ePLND with risks of LNI predicted by the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center web-calculator. The best strategy was selected based on the incremental cost effectiveness ratio when applying a willingness to pay (WTP) threshold of €20,000 per QALY gained. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis was performed with Monte Carlo simulation to assess the robustness of the results. RESULTS: Costs and health outcomes were lowest (€4,858 and 6.04 QALYs) for the 100% threshold, and highest (€10,939 and 6.21 QALYs) for the 2% threshold, respectively. The incremental cost effectiveness ratio for the 2%, 5%, 10%, and 20% threshold compared with the first threshold above (i.e., 5%, 10%, 20%, and 100%) were €189,222/QALY, €130,689/QALY, €51,920/QALY, and €23,187/QALY respectively. Applying a WTP threshold of €20.000 the probabilities for the 2%, 5%, 10%, 20%, and 100% threshold strategies being cost-effective were 0.0%, 0.3%, 4.9%, 30.3%, and 64.5% respectively. CONCLUSION: Applying a WTP threshold of €20.000, completely omitting ePLND in CaP patients is cost-effective compared to other risk-based strategies. However, applying a 20% threshold for probable LNI to the Briganti 2012 nomogram or the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center web-calculator, may be a feasible alternative, in particular when higher WTP values are considered.

Population-based analysis of cost and peri-operative outcomes between open and robotic primary retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for germ cell tumors.

PURPOSE: To compare perioperative outcomes and perform the first cost analysis between open retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (O-RPLND) and Robotic-RPLND (R-RPLND) using a national all-payer inpatient care database. METHODS: Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) was queried between 2013-2016 for primary RPLND and germ cell tumor. We compared cost, length of stay (LOS), and complications between O-RPLND and R-RPLND. Linear regression plots identified point of cost equivalence between R-RPLND and O-RPLND. A multivariable linear regression model was generated to analyze predictors of cost. RESULTS: 44 cases of R-RPLND and 319 cases of O-RPLND were identified. R-RPLND was associated with lower rate of complications (0% vs. 16.6%, p < 0.01) and shorter LOS [Median (IQR): 1.5 (1-3) days vs. 4 (3-6) days, p < 0.01]. Rates of ileus, genitourinary complications, and transfusions were lower with R-RPLND, but did not reach significance. On multivariable analysis, robotic approach independently contributed $4457, while each day of hospitalization contributed to an additional $2,431 to the overall model of cost. Linear regression plots determined point of cost equivalence between an R-RPLND staying a mean of 2 days was 4-5 days for O-RPLND, supporting the multivariable analysis. Total hospitalization cost was equivalent between R-RPLND and O-RPLND [Median (IQR): $15,681($12,735-$21,596) vs $16,718($11,799-$24,403), p = 0.48]-suggesting that the cost equivalency of R-RPLND is, at least in part, attributable to shorter LOS. CONCLUSION: While O-RPLND remains the gold standard and this study is limited by selection bias of a robotic approach to RPLND, our findings suggest primary R-RPLND may represent a cost-equivalent option with decreased hospital LOS in select cases.

An economic analysis of prophylactic lymphovenous anastomosis among breast cancer patients receiving mastectomy with axillary lymph node dissection.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Prophylactic lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA) has been shown to decrease the incidence of postoperative lymphedema among patients receiving mastectomy with axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). However, the economic impact of this intervention on overall healthcare costs has not been adequately studied and insurance reimbursement for lymphedema treatment is limited resulting in substantial out-of-pocket patient expenses. METHODS: We performed a cost-minimization decision analysis from the societal perspective to assess two different patient scenarios: (a) mastectomy with ALND alone, (b) mastectomy with ALND and prophylactic LVA. RESULTS: The annual cost of lymphedema-related care is estimated to be $5,691.88 ($3,160.52 direct, $2,531.36 indirect). If all patients undergoing mastectomy with ALND undergo prophylactic LVA, the average expected lifetime cost per patient in the entire population (whether or not they develop lymphedema) is approximately $6,295.61, compared to $13,942.26 if no patients in the same population receive prophylactic LVA. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic LVA is economically preferred over mastectomy and ALND alone from a cost minimization perspective, and results in an average of $7,646.65 (45.2%) cost saving per patient over the course of their lifetime.

Economics of Lymphovenous Bypass.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to compare the economic impact of complete decongestive therapy and lymphovenous bypass in the management of upper extremity lymphedema. METHODS: Economics were modeled for a patient with breast cancer-related lymphedema undergoing three different clinical pathways: (1) complete decongestive therapy alone; (2) lymphovenous bypass no longer requiring ongoing complete decongestive therapy; or (3) lymphovenous bypass requiring ongoing complete decongestive therapy. Activity-based cost analysis identified costs incurred with complete decongestive therapy and lymphovenous bypass. Costs were retrieved from supplier price lists, physician fee schedules, lymphedema therapists, and literature reviews. The net present value of all costs incurred for each clinical pathway were calculated. RESULTS: The estimated net present value of all costs for a patient with breast cancer-related lymphedema undergoing treatment were as follows: (1) complete decongestive therapy alone ($30,400); (2) lymphovenous bypass no longer requiring ongoing complete decongestive therapy ($15,000); or (3) lymphovenous bypass requiring ongoing complete decongestive therapy ($42,100). The expected net present value of all costs for lymphovenous bypass was $26,800, which was comparable to that of complete decongestive therapy alone. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the expected net present value of lymphovenous bypass was dependent on the patient's life expectancy, number of bypass anastomoses, and likelihood of discontinuing complete decongestive therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Lymphedema has substantial ongoing costs irrespective of the treatment modality. The cost of lymphovenous bypass appears comparable to that of complete decongestive therapy alone-the surgical costs of lymphovenous bypass are offset by the savings from discontinued ongoing therapy. Despite its limitations as a theoretical economic model, this study provides insight into the potential economic impact of lymphovenous bypass.

Insurance Status Is Associated with Extent of Treatment for Patients with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.

Background: Health insurance has been shown to be a key determinant in cancer care, but it is unknown as to what extent insurance status affects treatments provided to papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) patients. We hypothesized that insured patients with PTC would have lower-risk tumors at diagnosis and be more likely to receive adjuvant therapies at follow-up. Methods: The American College of Surgeons' National Cancer Database was queried to identify all patients diagnosed with PTCs >2 mm in size from 2004 to 2015. Patients were grouped according to insurance status, and frequency of high-risk features and microcarcinoma at diagnosis were assessed. Multivariable analyses were used to identify independent predictors of more extensive treatment: total thyroidectomy (vs. lobectomy), lymphadenectomy, and radioactive iodine (RAI). Results: There were 190,298 patients who met inclusion criteria; the majority of patients had private insurance (139,675 [73.4%]) and were female (144,824 [76.1%]). Uninsured patients, as compared with privately insured patients, had higher rates of extrathyroidal extension of their cancers (25.2% vs. 18.9%, p < 0.001), lymphovascular invasion (16.2% vs. 12.0%, p < 0.001), and positive margins on final pathology (16.0% vs. 12.2%, p < 0.001). Conversely, patients with private insurance were 51% more likely to have microcarcinomas at diagnosis (odds ratio [OR] = 1.51 [confidence interval {CI} 1.35-1.68], p < 0.001) than uninsured patients, controlling for demographic, socioeconomic, and hospital factors. Private insurance was an independent predictor for treatment with total thyroidectomy (OR = 1.18 [CI 1.01-1.37], p < 0.05), formal lymphadenectomy (OR = 1.22 [CI 1.09-1.36], p < 0.001), and adjuvant RAI therapy (OR = 1.35 [CI 1.18-1.54], p < 0.001) as compared with no insurance, adjusted for socioeconomic, demographic, hospital, and oncologic differences. Patients with Medicare or Medicaid were no more likely to receive these treatments than uninsured patients. Conclusions: Privately insured patients have less aggressive PTCs at diagnosis, and they are more likely to be treated with total thyroidectomy, lymphadenectomy, and RAI compared with uninsured patients. Clinicians should take caution to ensure proper referral and follow-up for under- and uninsured patients to reduce disparities in treatment.

Long-term quality of life after comprehensive surgical staging of high-risk endometrial cancer - results from the RASHEC trial.

PURPOSE: The health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes after comprehensive surgical staging including infrarenal paraaortic lymphadenectomy in women with high-risk endometrial cancer (EC) are unknown. Our aim was to investigate the long-term HRQoL between robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery (RALS) and laparotomy (LT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 120 women with high-risk stage I-II EC were randomised to RALS or LT for hysterectomy, bilateral salpingoophorectomy, pelvic and infrarenal paraaortic lymphadenectomy in the previously reported Robot-Assisted Surgery for High-Risk Endometrial Cancer trial. The HRQoL was measured with the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC-QLQ-30) and its supplementary questionnaire module for endometrial cancer (QLQ-EN24) questionnaire. Women were assessed before and 12 months after surgery. In addition, the EuroQol Eq5D non-disease specific questionnaire was used for descriptive analysis. RESULTS: There was no difference in the functional scales (including global health status) in the intention to treat analysis, though LT conferred a small clinically important difference (CID) over RALS in 'cognitive functioning' albeit not statistically significant -6 (95% CI-14 to 0, p = .06). LT conferred a significantly better outcome for the 'nausea and vomiting' item though it did not reach a CID, 4 (95% CI 1 to 7, p = .01). In the EORTC-QLQ/QLQ-EN24, no significant differences were observed. Eq5D-3L questionnaire demonstrated a higher proportion of women reporting any extent of mobility impairment 12 months after surgery in the LT arm (p = .03). CONCLUSION: Overall, laparotomy and robot-assisted surgery conferred similar HRQoL 12 months after comprehensive staging for high-risk EC.

Integrated prediction and decision models are valuable in informing personalized decision making.

OBJECTIVES: To show how prediction models can be incorporated into decision models, to allow for personalized decisions, and to assess the value of this approach using the management of the neck in early-stage oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma as an example. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: In a decision model, three approaches were compared: a "population-based" approach in which patients undergo the strategy that is optimal for the population; a "perfectly predicted" approach, in which each patient receives the optimal strategy for that specific patient; and a "prediction model" approach in which each patient receives the strategy that is optimal based on prediction models. The average differences in costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) for the population between these approaches were studied. RESULTS: The population-based approach resulted on average in 4.9158 QALYs with €8,675 in costs, per patient. The perfectly predicted approach yielded 0.21 more QALYs and saved €1,024 per patient. The prediction model approach yielded 0.0014 more QALYs and saved €152 per patient compared with the population-based approach. CONCLUSION: The perfectly predicted approach shows that personalized care is worthwhile. However, current prediction models in the field of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma have limited value. Incorporating prediction models into decision models appears to be a valuable method to assess the value of personalized decision making.

Impact of a Surgical Sealing Patch on Lymphatic Drainage After Axillary Dissection for Breast Cancer: The SAKK 23/13 Multicenter Randomized Phase III Trial.

BACKGROUND: Several studies and a meta-analysis showed that fibrin sealant patches reduced lymphatic drainage after various lymphadenectomy procedures. Our goal was to investigate the impact of these patches on drainage after axillary dissection for breast cancer. METHODS: In a phase III superiority trial, we randomized patients undergoing breast-conserving surgery at 14 Swiss sites to receive versus not receive three large TachoSil® patches in the dissected axilla. Axillary drains were inserted in all patients. Patients and investigators assessing outcomes were blinded to group assignment. The primary endpoint was total volume of drainage. RESULTS: Between March 2015 and December 2016, 142 patients were randomized (72 with TachoSil® and 70 without). Mean total volume of drainage in the control group was 703 ml [95% confidence interval (CI) 512-895 ml]. Application of TachoSil® did not significantly reduce the total volume of axillary drainage [mean difference (MD) -110 ml, 95% CI -316 to 94, p = 0.30]. A total of eight secondary endpoints related to drainage, morbidity, and quality of life were not improved by use of TachoSil®. The mean total cost per patient did not differ significantly between the groups [34,253 Swiss Francs (95% CI 32,625-35,880) with TachoSil® and 33,365 Swiss Francs (95% CI 31,771-34,961) without, p = 0.584]. In the TachoSil® group, length of stay was longer (MD 1 day, 95% CI 0.3-1.7, p = 0.009), and improvement of pain was faster, although the latter difference was not significant [2 days (95% CI 1-4) vs. 5.5 days (95% CI 2-11); p = 0.2]. CONCLUSIONS: TachoSil® reduced drainage after axillary dissection for breast cancer neither significantly nor relevantly.

Three Lymphadenectomy Strategies in Low-Risk Endometrial Carcinoma: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cost-utility of three lymphadenectomy strategies in the management of low-risk endometrial carcinoma. METHODS: A decision analysis model compared three lymphadenectomy strategies in women undergoing minimally invasive surgery for low-risk endometrial carcinoma: 1) routine lymphadenectomy in all patients, 2) selective lymphadenectomy based on intraoperative frozen section criteria, and 3) sentinel lymph node mapping. Costs and outcomes were obtained from published literature and Medicare reimbursement rates. Costs categories consisted of hospital, physician, operating room, pathology, and lymphedema treatment. Effectiveness was defined as 3-year disease-specific survival adjusted for the effect of lymphedema (utility=0.8) on quality of life. A cost-utility analysis was performed comparing the different strategies. Multiple deterministic sensitivity analyses were done. RESULTS: In the base-case scenario, routine lymphadenectomy had a cost of $18,041 and an effectiveness of 2.79 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). Selective lymphadenectomy had a cost of $17,036 and an effectiveness of 2.81 QALYs, whereas sentinel lymph node mapping had a cost of $16,401 and an effectiveness of 2.87 QALYs. With a difference of $1,005 and 0.02 QALYs, selective lymphadenectomy was both less costly and more effective than routine lymphadenectomy, dominating it. However, with the lowest cost and highest effectiveness, sentinel lymph node mapping dominated the other modalities and was the most cost-effective strategy. These findings were robust to multiple sensitivity analyses varying the rates of lymphedema and lymphadenectomy, surgical approach (open or minimally invasive surgery), lymphedema utility, and costs. For the estimated 40,000 women undergoing surgery for low-risk endometrial carcinoma each year in the United States, the annual cost of routine lymphadenectomy, selective lymphadenectomy, and sentinel lymph node mapping would be $722 million, $681 million, and $656 million, respectively. CONCLUSION: Compared with routine and selective lymphadenectomy, sentinel lymph node mapping had the lowest costs and highest quality-adjusted survival, making it the most cost-effective strategy in the management of low-risk endometrial carcinoma.

Role of lymphadenectomy in intermediate-risk endometrial cancer: a matched-pair study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of lymph node dissection (LND) on morbidity, survival, and cost for intermediate-risk endometrial cancers (IREC). METHODS: A multicenter retrospective cohort of 720 women with IREC (endometrioid histology with myometrial invasion <50% and grade 3; or myometrial invasion ≥50% and grades 1-2; or cervical involvement and grades 1-2) was carried out. All patients underwent hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. A matched pair analysis identified 178 pairs (178 with LND and 178 without it) equal in age, body mass index, co-morbidities, American Society of Anesthesiologist score, myometrial invasion, and surgical approach. Demographic data, pathology results, perioperative morbidity, and survival were abstracted from medical records. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Cost analysis was carried out between both groups. RESULTS: Both study groups were homogeneous in demographic data and pathologic results. The mean follow-up in patients free of disease was 61.7 months (range, 12.0-275.5). DFS (hazard ratio [HR]=1.34; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.79-2.28) and OS (HR=0.72; 95% CI=0.42-1.23) were similar in both groups, independently of nodes count. In LND group, positive nodes were found in 10 cases (5.6%). Operating time and late postoperative complications were higher in LND group (p<0.05). Infection rate was significantly higher in no-LND group (p=0.035). There were no statistical differences between both groups regarding operative morbidity and hospital stay. The global cost was similar for both groups. CONCLUSION: Systematic LND in IREC has no benefit on survival, although it does not show an increase in perioperative morbidity or global cost.

Cost-effectiveness comparison between neoadjuvant chemohormonal therapy and extended pelvic lymph node dissection in high-risk prostate cancer patients treated with radical prostatectomy: a multi-institutional analysis.

The aim of the present study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND) compared to neoadjuvant chemohormonal therapy using gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist/antagonist and estramustine. We retrospectively analyzed data within Michinoku Urological Cancer Study Group database containing 2971 PC patients treated with radical prostatectomy (RP) at four institutes between July 1996 and July 2017. We identified 237 and 403 high-risk patients who underwent RP and ePLND (ePLND group), and neoadjuvant chemohormonal therapy followed by RP and limited PLND (neoadjuvant group), respectively. The oncological outcomes and cost-effectiveness were compared between groups. Medical cost calculation focused on PC-related medication and adjuvant radiotherapy. Biochemical recurrence-free and overall survival rates in the neoadjuvant group were significantly higher than those in the ePLND group. Significantly higher number of patients progressed to castration-resistant PC in the ePLND group than in the neoadjuvant group. Background-adjusted multivariate Cox regression analysis using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) revealed that neoadjuvant chemohormonal therapy independently reduced the risk of biochemical recurrence after RP. The 5-year cost per person was significantly higher in the ePLND group than in the neoadjuvant group. Although the present study was retrospective, neoadjuvant chemohormonal therapy followed by RP as a concurrent strategy has potential to improve oncological outcome and cost-effectiveness.

Vaginal vs. robotic hysterectomy for patients with endometrial cancer: A comparison of outcomes and cost of care.

OBJECTIVE: To compare outcomes and cost for patients with endometrial cancer undergoing vaginal hysterectomy (VH) or robotic hysterectomy (RH), with or without lymphadenectomy (LND). METHODS: Patients undergoing planned VH (and laparoscopic LND) or RH (and robotic LND) between January 2007 and November 2012 were reviewed. Patients with stage IV disease, synchronous cancer, synchronous surgery, or treated with palliative intent were excluded. Patients were objectively triaged to LND per institutional protocol based on frozen section. Outcomes were compared between VH and RH groups matched 1:1 on propensity scores. RESULTS: VH was planned in 153 patients; 60 (39%) had concurrent LND while 93 (61%) were low risk and did not require LND. RH was planned in 398 patients; 225 (56%) required concurrent LND and 173 (44%) did not. Among 50 PS-matched pairs without LND, there was no significant difference in complications, length of stay, readmission, or progression free survival. However, median operative time was 1.3h longer and median 30-day cost $3150 higher for RH compared to VH (both p<0.001). Among patients requiring LND, 42 PS-matched pairs were identified. Median operative time was not different when pelvic and para-aortic LND was performed, and 12min longer in the VH group for pelvic LND alone (p=0.03). Median 30-day cost was $921 higher for RH compared to VH when LND was required (p=0.08). CONCLUSION: Utilization of vaginal hysterectomy for endometrial cancer results in similar surgical and oncologic outcomes and lower costs compared to RH and should be considered for appropriate patients with a low risk of requiring LND.

Impact of body mass index and operative approach on surgical morbidity and costs in women with endometrial carcinoma and hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of body mass index (BMI) and operative approach on surgical morbidity and costs in patients with endometrial carcinoma (EC) and hyperplasia (EH). METHODS: All women with BMI data who underwent surgery for EC or EH from 2008 to 2014 were identified from MarketScan, a healthcare claims database. Differences in 30-day complications and costs were compared between BMI groups and stratified by surgical modality. RESULTS: Of 1112 patients, 35%, 36%, and 29% had a BMI of ≤29, 30-39, and ≥40kg/m2, respectively. Compared to patients with a BMI of 30-39 and ≤29, women with a BMI ≥40 had higher rates of venous thromboembolism (3% vs 0.2% vs 0.3%, p<0.01) and wound infection (7% vs 3% vs 3%, p=0.02). This increase was driven by the subset of patients who had laparotomy and was not seen in those undergoing minimally invasive surgery (MIS). Median total costs for women with a BMI ≥40, 30-39, and ≤29 were U.S. $17.3k, $16.8k, and $16.6k respectively (p=0.53). Costs were higher for patients who had laparotomy than those who had MIS across all BMI groups, with the cost difference being highest in morbidly obese women (≥40: $21.6k vs $14.9k, p<0.01; 30-39: $18.9k vs $16.1k, p=0.01; ≤29: $19.3k vs $15k, p<0.01). Patients who had complications had higher costs compared to those who did not, with a higher cost difference in the laparotomy group ($27.7k vs $16.4k, p<0.01) compared to the MIS group ($19.9k vs $15k, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: MIS may increase the value of care by minimizing complications and decreasing costs. This may be most pronounced in morbidly obese women.

Cost-effectiveness of sentinel node biopsy and pathological ultrastaging in patients with early-stage cervical cancer.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine the cost-effectiveness of radical hysterectomy (RH) and sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for the management of early-stage cervical cancer (stage IA2-IB1). METHODS: A simple decision tree model was developed to follow a simulated cohort of patients with early-stage cervical cancer treated with RH and 1 of 3 lymph node assessment strategies: systematic pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND), SLNB using technetium 99 (Tc99) and blue dye, and SLNB using Tc99 only. SLNB using indocyanine green (ICG) was used as an exploratory strategy. Relevant studies were identified to extract the probability data and utility parameters and to estimate quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and absolute life-years (ALYs). Only direct medical costs were modeled, and the time horizon for the study was 5 years. RESULTS: SLNB using Tc99 and blue dye cost $21,089 and yielded 4.54 QALYs and 4.90 ALYs. PLND cost $22,353 and yielded 4.47 QALYs and 4.91 ALYs. SLNB using blue dye and Tc99 was the most cost-effective strategy when ALYs were considered with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $144,531. When QALYs were considered, the SLNB technique using Tc99 and blue dye dominated all other strategies. SLNB using ICG cost $20,624 and yielded 4.90 ALYs and 4.54 QALYs. It was clinically superior to and less expensive than all other strategies when QALYs were the outcome of interest and had an ICER of $221,171 per ALY in comparison with RH plus PLND. CONCLUSIONS: SLNB using Tc99 and blue dye with ultrastaging is considered the most cost-effective strategy with respect to 5-year progression-free survival and morbidity-free survival. Although it was included only as an exploratory strategy in this study, SLNB with ICG has the potential to be the most cost-effective strategy. Cancer 2017;123:1751-1759. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

Since surgery isn't getting any easier, why is reimbursement going down? An update from the SGO taskforce on coding and reimbursement.

In 2015, there was an 18% reduction in the Relative Value Units (RVUs) that the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) assigned to the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code 58571 (Laparoscopy, surgical, with total hysterectomy, for uterus 250g or less; with removal of tube(s) and/or ovary(s)→TLH+BSO). The other CPT codes for laparoscopic hysterectomy and laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (58541-58544 and 58570-58573) lost between 12 and 23% of their assigned RVUs. In 2016, the laparoscopic lymph node dissection codes 38570 (Laparoscopy, surgical; with retroperitoneal lymph node sampling (biopsy), single or multiple), 38571 (Laparoscopy, surgical; with bilateral total pelvic lymphadenectomy), and 38572 (Laparoscopy, surgical; with bilateral total pelvic lymphadenectomy and para-aortic lymph node sampling (biopsy), single or multiple) lost between 5.5 and 16.3% of their RVU's. The goals of this article from the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) Task force on Coding and Reimbursement are 1) to inform the SGO members on why CMS identified these codes as a part of their misvalued services screening program and then finalized a reduction in their payment levels; and 2) outline the role individual providers have in CMS' methodology used to determine the reimbursement of a surgical procedure.

Healthcare Costs Reduced After Incorporating the Results of the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group Z0011 Trial into Clinical Practice.

The purpose of our study was to quantitate the changes in axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), frozen section (FS), and the impact on costs after the publication of the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG) Z0011 trial. We compared axillary nodal management and cost data in breast cancer patients who met Z0011 criteria and were treated with lumpectomy and sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) biopsy from 2007 to July 2013. Of 800 patients, 67 (13.5%) and 34 (12.5%) patients in the pre- and post-Z0011 era had 1-2 positive SLN. ALND decreased from 78% to 21% (p < 0.001) after publication of Z0011. The mean overall cost of SLN biopsy was $41,059 per patient, while SLN biopsy with completion ALND was $50,999 (p < 0.001). Intraoperative FS use decreased from 95% to 66% (p = 0.015). Omitting the FS decreased mean costs from $4,319 to $2,036. The application of Z0011 resulted in an overall mean cost savings of $571,653 from 2011 to July 2013. ACOSOG Z0011 significantly impacted axillary management resulting in a 20% reduction in the mean overall cost per patient by omitting ALND. In these patients, intraoperative FS analysis had poor sensitivity (56%) and doubled the cost of pathologic examination. Fewer ALND and intraoperative FS were performed after the publication of ACOSOG Z0011. Eliminating FS and ALND in patients who met Z0011 criteria, results in significant cost savings.