Wong Yu-Ning
Divisions of Population Science and Medical Science, Fox Chase Cancer, Center, Philadelphia, PA.
Semin Colon Rectal Surg. 2008 Dec 1;19(4):247-252. doi: 10.1053/j.scrs.2008.09.010.
Improvements in translational research have led to improved survival in patients with both localized and metastatic colorectal cancer. However, these benefits come at high costs, and the introduction of six new agents since 1996 for colorectal cancer has resulted in much higher treatment related costs. Even insured patients may face very high treatment related costs through deductibles and co-payments. In addition, since colorectal cancer is a disease of the elderly, many patients may also be facing high treatment related costs for their other medical problems. Physicians should be aware of how these high costs may influence patients' treatment choices and adherence with therapy. This information may be important in counseling patients about the risks and benefits of systemic therapy. These challenges are not limited to patients with colorectal cancer, and physicians who take care of cancer patients across all disease sites will need to confront this increasingly complex issue.
转化医学研究的进展已使局部和转移性结直肠癌患者的生存率得到提高。然而，这些益处的代价高昂，自1996年以来用于结直肠癌的六种新药物导致治疗相关成本大幅增加。即使是参保患者，也可能因免赔额和共同支付而面临非常高的治疗相关费用。此外，由于结直肠癌是一种老年疾病，许多患者可能还因其其他医疗问题而面临高额的治疗相关费用。医生应意识到这些高额费用可能如何影响患者的治疗选择和对治疗的依从性。这些信息在向患者咨询全身治疗的风险和益处时可能很重要。这些挑战不仅限于结直肠癌患者，照顾所有疾病部位癌症患者的医生都将需要面对这个日益复杂的问题。
