Estimating the cost of radiotherapy.

Estimates of the cost of radiotherapy vary and depend upon the purpose for which the calculation is made and the detail of the component items taken into consideration. Capital costs and their revenue consequences are more significant in radiotherapy than in many other clinical specialties but other factors such as staff costs and maintenance must be taken into consideration. Three published UK studies have been reviewed in which the cost per fraction of radiotherapy was estimated to lie between 22 pounds and 38 pounds in 1989. These values have been used to calculate the possible costs for courses of radiotherapy of differing durations. However, these simple estimates may be misleading and the use of Healthcare Resource Groups, based upon the complexity of radiotherapy planning and the number of fractions, is suggested. Two UK studies estimating the costs of providing a radiotherapy service to a peripheral hospital were also reviewed. The approximate cost of a new referral to a peripheral clinic was estimated to lie between 880 pounds and 1260 pounds in 1989.