The Economic Promise of 'Watch and Wait' in Rectal Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): Ishraq Murshed, Z Bunjo, W Seow
Primary Institution: University of Adelaide
Hypothesis
Does the 'watch and wait' approach after neoadjuvant therapy provide a cost-effective alternative to surgery for locally advanced rectal cancer?
Conclusion
The 'watch and wait' approach shows consistent cost-effectiveness and cost savings compared to surgery in managing locally advanced rectal cancer.
Supporting Evidence
- The review included seven cost-effectiveness analyses and five cost analyses.
- W&W demonstrated cost-effectiveness from both health-system and patient perspectives.
- Further research is needed to validate the findings and support high-value health care.
Takeaway
Instead of surgery, some patients with rectal cancer can safely wait and see if their cancer stays away after treatment, which can save money and help them feel better.
Methodology
This systematic review analyzed 12 studies from eight countries, focusing on cost-effectiveness and cost analyses of the 'watch and wait' approach.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to variations in study methodologies and lack of standardized comparators.
Limitations
The findings must be interpreted cautiously due to clinical heterogeneity and variable methodological quality of the included studies.
Participant Demographics
The studies included diverse international health care settings but specific demographics were not detailed.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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