Real-World Healthcare Resource Utilization and Related Costs Associated With Bladder Cancer 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: Bladder cancer (BCa) is one of the most common urological malignancies worldwide, ranking among the top ten most expensive cancers to treat over a patient’s lifetime. Predominant risk factors include male gender, advanced age, and history of tobacco use. This study aims to assess the epidemiological data and cost of bladder cancer within a Brazilian private market.
METHODS: Retrospective database study using administrative data from January/2019—December/2024. Adults with malignant neoplasms of bladder (ICD-10 C67) were identified. Available data includes demographics, comorbidities, healthcare resource utilization (HCRU), and costs, including visits, surgery, emergency department, therapies and tests. 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: Of 60,824 beneficiaries (age 54 years, 59.3% female), 38 patients had met the eligibility criteria (79±7.7 years; 60.5% male). 12.5% of all patients were diagnosed and started treatment at late stages (TMN III/IV). First-line treatment involved surgery and/or chemotherapy (gemcitabine+cisplatin, gemcitabine+carboplatin, gemcitabine+paclitaxel). Immunotherapy combinations with chemotherapy were used in 13.2% of patients. Annual rates of procedures: visits 9.5, emergency room visits 2.4, tests 78.3 and hospitalizations 1.4. The average length of hospitalization was 5.6 days. Annualized healthcare costs associated were U$ 12,922/patient (13.7% chemotherapy, 12.7% immunotherapy, 17.3% other medicines used to treat anemia/neutropenia/ nausea, and 56.4% relating to other expenses, especially hospitalization. The cumulative 5-year survival rate: 51.8%.
CONCLUSIONS: BCa care is entering an exciting era, marked by a surge in new therapies and better patient outcomes. However, while medical advances are reshaping treatment strategies, they also come with substantial financial costs. Our study shows that until now, the first line treatment is surgery and chemo despite immunotherapy is available and offering a long-lasting response in some patients and generally having fewer serious side effects.
METHODS: Retrospective database study using administrative data from January/2019—December/2024. Adults with malignant neoplasms of bladder (ICD-10 C67) were identified. Available data includes demographics, comorbidities, healthcare resource utilization (HCRU), and costs, including visits, surgery, emergency department, therapies and tests. 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: Of 60,824 beneficiaries (age 54 years, 59.3% female), 38 patients had met the eligibility criteria (79±7.7 years; 60.5% male). 12.5% of all patients were diagnosed and started treatment at late stages (TMN III/IV). First-line treatment involved surgery and/or chemotherapy (gemcitabine+cisplatin, gemcitabine+carboplatin, gemcitabine+paclitaxel). Immunotherapy combinations with chemotherapy were used in 13.2% of patients. Annual rates of procedures: visits 9.5, emergency room visits 2.4, tests 78.3 and hospitalizations 1.4. The average length of hospitalization was 5.6 days. Annualized healthcare costs associated were U$ 12,922/patient (13.7% chemotherapy, 12.7% immunotherapy, 17.3% other medicines used to treat anemia/neutropenia/ nausea, and 56.4% relating to other expenses, especially hospitalization. The cumulative 5-year survival rate: 51.8%.
CONCLUSIONS: BCa care is entering an exciting era, marked by a surge in new therapies and better patient outcomes. However, while medical advances are reshaping treatment strategies, they also come with substantial financial costs. Our study shows that until now, the first line treatment is surgery and chemo despite immunotherapy is available and offering a long-lasting response in some patients and generally having fewer serious side effects.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
RWD158
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health, Health Service Delivery & Process of Care, Real World Data & Information Systems
Topic Subcategory
Health & Insurance Records Systems
Disease
Oncology