OBJECTIVES : To characterise the patient population diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumours in Spain and revise disease management and direct medical costs of the disease via the analysis of real-world evidence.

METHODS : Medical records of patients diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumour in Spain between 2010 and 2015 were extracted from the Ministry of Health Spanish claims database, which compiles records from 192 private hospitals and 313 public, covering all Spanish regions. Admission records were used to evaluate hospitalisation and disease management data, and single-patient files were used to characterise the patient population. Direct medical costs were calculated based on the mean costs of medical procedures determined by the Ministry of Health.

RESULTS : The number of patients diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumour between 2010 and 2015 was 9,120, with a 2 fold increase in the annual diagnosis rate measured over the study period. Mean patient age was 62.58 years (SD=14.65), with a portion of 57.75% of male patients. Almost 80% of patients developed a malignant carcinoid tumour at some point, with an important prevalence of bronchus and lung tumours, and 42.93% of patients had a secondary tumour principally of the liver, lymph nodes and bone. Patients were hospitalised 11 days on average, mostly into oncology and surgical services. Tumour resection was the predominant procedure, with chemotherapy registered in only 6.85% of admissions. The annual direct medical cost of neuroendocrine tumours was €15,373,961, corresponding to €1,686 per patient annually. Surgical procedures, chemotherapy and radiotherapy administration accounted for most of the expenses.

CONCLUSIONS : The implementation of standard diagnosis procedures should be prioritised, taking into account that 80% of patients ultimately develop a malignant tumour. The systematic analysis of patients’ characteristics provides vital data for the development of more efficient disease management protocols.