Economic aspects of treatment of superficial bladder cancer.

Health economics research has shown pharmaceutical therapy to be a highly cost-effective modality of care in a variety of disease states. Specific examples include vaccines and products aimed at the treatment of infectious disease, mental illness, gastrointestinal disorders, diabetes, and cancer. A review of the characteristics of mitomycin (Mutamycin) for injection therapy and of patients with superficial bladder cancer facilitates examining mitomycin from the standpoint of cost effectiveness. Third-party payment programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, often provide coverage for intravesical chemotherapy for superficial bladder cancer. Methods for obtaining reimbursement for therapy associated with the management and treatment of superficial bladder cancer are suggested. Finally, the total cost of intravesical therapy is examined. Issues such as the cost of surgery and chemotherapy are discussed, as well as the importance of weighing intangible factors, such as lost work time, productivity, and social costs, into the sum of total cost of care.