Analyzing the variation in treatment costs for colorectal cancer (CRC): A retrospective study to assess an underlying threat among the Vietnamese.

OBJECTIVE

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common, and the second deadliest, cancer documented in recent years, and numerous studies have addressed this issue. Nevertheless, little attention has been given to the CRC burden in Vietnam. Our study aims to analyze variations in cost for CRC treatments using the cost of illness (COI) method.

METHODS

Utilizing medical records spanning from 2014 to 2017 supplied by a primary healthcare facility in Ho Chi Minh City, a population of 9,126 patients, diagnosed with and treated for CRC, was analyzed in terms of demographic detail and individual treatment cost.

RESULTS

Among the 9,126 patients hospitalized with CRC, 3,699 patients were between the ages of 50 and 65. Colon cancer accounted for 56.4% and 60.4% of the total patients in Inpatient Department (IPD) and Outpatient Department (OPD). The total direct medical cost was calculated to be over ten million USD for IPD patients and over three million USD for OPD patients over a four year span of data. The per-patient cost was $2,741.00 (IPD) and $588.80 (OPD), with chemotherapy drugs being 53% (IPD) and 73% (OPD) of the overall treatment cost. Patients going through both treatment regimens incurred a mean cost of $4,271.20 (IPD) and $1,779.80 (OPD).

CONCLUSIONS

There is a similarity in the costs of CRC treatment in developing countries in Asia. Despite many limitations, we are certain this study will be useful for future studies regarding the CRC burden in Asia in general, as well as in developing countries like Vietnam.