Efficacy and costs of ovarian cancer therapy in Poland – regional approach

Abstract

Ovarian cancer (OC) affects over 3 000 women in Poland annually. The efficacy of the therapy remains relatively low due to challenges of systematic improvement in the early detection OC rates. International comparisons indicate a positive correlation between health expenditures and 5-year survival rates of cancer patients. To the best of our knowledge, our study has been the first to present a correlation between the 5-year survival rates (SRs) and the cost of ovarian cancer therapy in particular regions of Poland. Material and methods: The study was based on the National Health Fund (NHF) data, available in the Disease Treatment Registry. The analysis included approximately 13 000 OC patients who started their treatment between 2005 and 2008 to allow for the evaluation of long-term therapy results. The 5-year survival rates were analyzed in relation to average NHF expenditures in various regions of Poland, distinguishing the population of patients aged 45-64 years. Results: The 5-year survival rate in the cohorts diagnosed in 2005 and 2008 changed marginally, from 42% to 43%, maintaining relatively large differences between the regions (from 35% to 53% in patients diagnosed in 2008). The NHF expenditures in particular regions differed significantly: mean cost for the entire treatment cycle ranged from 31.600 PLN do 58.000 PLN per person among patients diagnosed in 2008. No significant correlation between the survival and the cost was found. Conclusions: SRs of OC patients in particular regions of Poland are not correlated with average treatment cost. Thus, the differences in SRs between various regions of Poland have their source in other factors, e.g. clinical stage at diagnosis, or prevailing treatment patterns in the given region. Further studies may decrease regional discrepancies in patient care and SRs in OC subjects.