Real-World Healthcare Resource Utilization and Related Costs Associated With Lung Cancer in the Brazilian Private Market

Author(s)

Joao Paulo Dos Reis Neto, PhD, MD1, JULIANA BUSCH, MD2.
1ceo, Diretor-Presidente da Capesesp, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2CAPESESP, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
OBJECTIVES: Lung cancer (LC) is the leading cause of cancer-mortality worldwide, and is the fourth most incident cancer, in Brazil. LC is often diagnosed at advanced stages and are associated with direct high-cost expenses. This study aims to assess the epidemiological data and cost of LC within a Brazilian private market.
METHODS: Retrospective study of patients identified with LC (ICD-10 code C34) between Jan/2019 to Dez/2024 in a nationwide base of health insurance claims data of 60,824 beneficiaries. The primary outcome focused on analyzing the median cancer-related healthcare resource utilization and direct costs per patient per year following diagnosis, up until the discontinuation of chemo/immunotherapy or radiotherapy due to treatment-related toxicities, disease progression, or death. The staging of the disease (TNM UICC 1988) at the time of diagnosis and initiation of treatment was evaluated. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to estimate the cumulative survival rates. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact and Student’s t-tests for categorical/continuous measures were used. Statistical significance for p<0.05.
RESULTS: In our analysis, the age-standardized prevalence rate of LC is 260 cases per 100,000 population (72 years; 53% female). Annual rates of procedures: visits 8.9, emergency room visits 2.5, tests 115.2 and hospitalizations 1.5. The average length of hospitalization was 10.1 days. Annualized healthcare costs were U$ 52,029/patient. Of the total reimbursed drugs were PD-1/PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies (60.1%), VEGF/VEGFR monoclonal antibodies (9.3%), EGFR protein kinase inhibitors (6.3%), antineoplastic antimetabolic agents (3.9%), EGFR monoclonal antibodies (1.7%) and others (18.7%). The cumulative 5-year survival rate was 20.1%.
CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights the high prevalence of LC, with significant epidemiological impact, advanced-stage diagnosis, and poor survival in Brazil's private healthcare system. Resource-intensive management drives substantial costs, primarily for molecular-targeted therapies. Addressing this dual challenge requires improved screening, personalized treatments, and cost-effective resource allocation to reduce the economic burden and enhance clinical outcomes.

Conference/Value in Health Info

2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland

Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2

Code

RWD143

Topic

Epidemiology & Public Health, Health Service Delivery & Process of Care, Real World Data & Information Systems

Topic Subcategory

Health & Insurance Records Systems

Disease

Oncology

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