Real-World Healthcare Resource Utilization and Costs Associated With Malignant Brain Tumors in the Brazilian Private Market
Author(s)
JULIANA BUSCH, MD1, Joao Paulo Dos Reis Neto, PhD, MD2.
1Director, CAPESESP, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2Diretor-Presidente da Capesesp, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
1Director, CAPESESP, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2Diretor-Presidente da Capesesp, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
OBJECTIVES: Primary brain tumors, although rare (approximately 2% of global cancer cases), pose a major clinical and economic challenge. Gliomas are the most prevalent primary brain tumors in adults and may often require aggressive treatment based on their grade, with substantial negative impact on patients' quality of life. This study aims to evaluate the healthcare resource utilization and costs associated with brain tumor management in a private health care plan.
METHODS: Retrospective analysis was conducted using administrative data from a private health plan (Jan/2019 to Dec/2024) to evaluate adults’ patients with malignant brain neoplasms (ICD-10 C71 and C72.9). Data on demographics, treatments, resource use (visits, surgery, emergency department, therapies and exams), and costs were assessed. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to estimate the survival rates. Chi-square, Fisher’s exact and Student’s t-tests for categorical/continuous measures were used. Statistical significance for p<0.05.
RESULTS: Of 60,672 beneficiaries (average: 54 years, 59.5% female), 76 patients (0.12%) had met the eligibility criteria (60.2 years; 56.6% female). We analyzed patients who underwent neurosurgery and/or treated with oncologic therapies. Of these, 74.1% underwent surgery, 51.9% were treated with chemotherapy and/or 40.7% with radiotherapy. Temozolomide (50%) and bevacizumab (22%) were the most prescribed therapies. The annual cost per-patient was USD51,734, driven mainly by hospitalizations (58.9%) and chemotherapy/radiotherapy (29.9%). Annual rates of procedures average per-patient: visits 8.3, emergency room visits 2.0, exams 67.7 and hospitalizations 1.6. Despite these high costs, the 5-year survival rate was only 8.4%. The average hospital stay was 11.2 days/year, reflecting substantial healthcare dependency and morbidity.
CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of brain tumors are associated with very high costs and limited survival benefits, highlighting a significant mismatch between healthcare expenditures and meaningful patient outcomes. This economic burden, combined with significant loss of quality of life, emphasizes the need for more effective and patient-centered approaches in neuro-oncology.
METHODS: Retrospective analysis was conducted using administrative data from a private health plan (Jan/2019 to Dec/2024) to evaluate adults’ patients with malignant brain neoplasms (ICD-10 C71 and C72.9). Data on demographics, treatments, resource use (visits, surgery, emergency department, therapies and exams), and costs were assessed. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to estimate the survival rates. Chi-square, Fisher’s exact and Student’s t-tests for categorical/continuous measures were used. Statistical significance for p<0.05.
RESULTS: Of 60,672 beneficiaries (average: 54 years, 59.5% female), 76 patients (0.12%) had met the eligibility criteria (60.2 years; 56.6% female). We analyzed patients who underwent neurosurgery and/or treated with oncologic therapies. Of these, 74.1% underwent surgery, 51.9% were treated with chemotherapy and/or 40.7% with radiotherapy. Temozolomide (50%) and bevacizumab (22%) were the most prescribed therapies. The annual cost per-patient was USD51,734, driven mainly by hospitalizations (58.9%) and chemotherapy/radiotherapy (29.9%). Annual rates of procedures average per-patient: visits 8.3, emergency room visits 2.0, exams 67.7 and hospitalizations 1.6. Despite these high costs, the 5-year survival rate was only 8.4%. The average hospital stay was 11.2 days/year, reflecting substantial healthcare dependency and morbidity.
CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of brain tumors are associated with very high costs and limited survival benefits, highlighting a significant mismatch between healthcare expenditures and meaningful patient outcomes. This economic burden, combined with significant loss of quality of life, emphasizes the need for more effective and patient-centered approaches in neuro-oncology.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
RWD142
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health, Health Service Delivery & Process of Care, Real World Data & Information Systems
Topic Subcategory
Health & Insurance Records Systems
Disease
Oncology