Incidence and Treatment of Squamous-Cell Anal Cancer (SCAC) in Germany: A Retrospective Study in German Statutory Health Insurance (SHI) Claims Data
Author(s)
Mariella Göbel, M.Sc.1, Benedikt Böhme, M.Sc.2, Adrian Wilk, PhD3, Céline Vetter, PhD4.
1Incyte Biosciences Germany GmbH, Munich, Germany, 2Incyte Biosciences, München, Germany, 3Team Gesundheit, Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsmanagement mbH, Essen, Germany, 4IQVIA Commercial GmbH & Co. OHG, Frankfurt a.M., Germany.
1Incyte Biosciences Germany GmbH, Munich, Germany, 2Incyte Biosciences, München, Germany, 3Team Gesundheit, Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsmanagement mbH, Essen, Germany, 4IQVIA Commercial GmbH & Co. OHG, Frankfurt a.M., Germany.
OBJECTIVES: Data on the incidence and treatment patterns of squamous cell anal carcinoma (SCAC) in Germany remain limited. This study aimed to address this gap by analyzing representative claims data to assess disease burden and treatment pathways across healthcare sectors.
METHODS: We identified adult patients newly diagnosed with SCAC (ICD-10-GM: C21.1) between 2018 and 2022 from a statutory health insurance (SHI) database covering 5.7 million individuals. Inclusion required ≥5 years of look-back and ≥2 years of enrollment. For treatment pattern analysis, ≥2 years of follow-up were required unless the patient died. Treatment lines were defined using procedure and billing codes for surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy across care settings.
RESULTS: Annual SCAC incidence ranged from 3.3/100,000 (2022) to 4.5/100,000 (2020), corresponding to 2,055-2,800 new cases per year (projected to the SHI population). Office-based physicians were central to care delivery: 46% of patients received their initial diagnosis and 33% initiated treatment in this setting. Among 436 SCAC patients (unprojected), 84% received first-line treatment, 12% remained untreated during the 2-year follow-up, and 3% died without treatment. Of the 368 patients treated initially, 46% proceeded to second-line therapy, 44% received no further treatment, and 10% died. The overall 2-year mortality rate was 21%.
CONCLUSIONS: Office-based physicians play a critical role in both diagnosing and initiating treatment for SCAC, alongside hospital-based specialists. The proportion of untreated patients highlights the need for further investigation into barriers to care and treatment decision-making.
METHODS: We identified adult patients newly diagnosed with SCAC (ICD-10-GM: C21.1) between 2018 and 2022 from a statutory health insurance (SHI) database covering 5.7 million individuals. Inclusion required ≥5 years of look-back and ≥2 years of enrollment. For treatment pattern analysis, ≥2 years of follow-up were required unless the patient died. Treatment lines were defined using procedure and billing codes for surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy across care settings.
RESULTS: Annual SCAC incidence ranged from 3.3/100,000 (2022) to 4.5/100,000 (2020), corresponding to 2,055-2,800 new cases per year (projected to the SHI population). Office-based physicians were central to care delivery: 46% of patients received their initial diagnosis and 33% initiated treatment in this setting. Among 436 SCAC patients (unprojected), 84% received first-line treatment, 12% remained untreated during the 2-year follow-up, and 3% died without treatment. Of the 368 patients treated initially, 46% proceeded to second-line therapy, 44% received no further treatment, and 10% died. The overall 2-year mortality rate was 21%.
CONCLUSIONS: Office-based physicians play a critical role in both diagnosing and initiating treatment for SCAC, alongside hospital-based specialists. The proportion of untreated patients highlights the need for further investigation into barriers to care and treatment decision-making.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
EPH141
Topic
Clinical Outcomes, Epidemiology & Public Health
Disease
Oncology