Cost of Colorectal Cancer Care in Korea: A Prospective Group Study with a 2-year Follow-up

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The incidence of cancer incidence and the rate of mortality are increasing in Korea. Specifically, colorectal cancer in men is one of the most sharply increasing malignancies. The objective of this study was to assess the direct costs for colorectal cancer patients and to identify the factors that influence cancer costs. METHODS: The direct costs of colorectal cancer were examined with a prospective group study at a hospital. The direct costs were assessed every 3 months over a 24-month period through patient interviews, medical records, and claims data. We identified the major factors associated with the cost of colorectal cancer by using a general linear model for the log-transformed data. RESULTS: The group was comprised of 100 patients with colon cancer and 120 patients with rectal cancer. The average costs per patient during the first and the second years after diagnosis were 16,280,000 won and 5,786,000 won respectively. Medical costs accounted for about 68% (11,090,000 won) of the first year's total cost and about 62% (3,602,000 won) of the second year's total cost. National Health Insurance (NHI) paid approximately 50% of the total medical cost. The total cost of colorectal cancer was clearly associated with the stage of the disease at first diagnosis, the cancer site, therapeutic modalities, and recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that colorectal cancer has a heavy financial impact on cancer patients. The total cost of colorectal cancer is clearly associated with the stage of the disease at first diagnosis. Increased efforts in terms of prevention and early detection may assist in reducing the costs.