6588 Background: There are significant costs associated with IV administration of cancer drugs ranging from adverse events associated with the administration to the need for specialized equipment, supplies and personnel time. This study utilized a novel provider-payer contract database to compare the cost components of providing IV therapy to women with early and late stage breast cancer. Methods: Women diagnosed with breast cancer (ICD-9 code 174) between 01/01/2003 and 05/31/2006 and receiving IV monotherapy were identified from an administrative claims database of >60 multi-specialty medical practices/clinics (additional ICD-9 codes 196–198 used to identify late stage breast cancer). Costs were estimated on a per IV administration visit basis using the allowable amount for a claim which closely represents the actual amount paid to providers. Published literature was used to categorize the various billable cost components. Results: 1,393 early and 828 late stage breast cancer patients receiving any of 11 IV breast cancer drugs were identified. The costs breakdown by category for all drugs and for the 2 most commonly used drugs, per IV administration visit, is presented in the table . Conclusions: Costs associated with administration of IV therapies and other visit-related services constituted more than 36% of total costs for early stage and 41% of total costs for late stage breast cancer patients. These costs represent a significant cost burden to payers. Maximization of valuable resources could be effected by increased use of effective oral therapies for treatment of breast cancer. [Table: see text] [Table: see text]
A hospital-based study of factors related to late stage diagnosis in a series of 44,085 breast cancer patients in Brazil