OBJECTIVES: Cancer is a global public health problem due to its increasing incidence and the high cost of care. This study aims to calculate the annual treatment costs for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), colorectal cancer (CC), and follicular and papillary thyroid cancer (FPTC) in Turkiye.

METHODS: Data were collected using the Delphi Panel method; expert opinions were obtained from six oncologists with experience in cancer treatment. The standardized questionnaire consisted of questions eliciting the opinions of the expert panelists on the clinical characteristics of patients with NSCLC, CC, and FPTC. Analyses were conducted using Microsoft Office Excel based on the perspective of a reimbursement agency. The costs of specific treatments, including examinations (laboratory and imaging tests), follow-up and hospitalization (radiotherapy, surgical interventions, outpatient treatment, and hospitalization), and medication (chemotherapy and other medications), for NSCLC, CC, and FPTC were first calculated separately. Next, the total annual cost of treatment for each type of cancer was calculated. The total costs for the progression-free period, the post-progression period, and terminal care were calculated.

RESULTS: The calculated total annual cost of care per patient with NSCLC was 67,017 TL, 74,687 TL, and 17,441 TL for the progression-free, post-progression, and terminal care periods, respectively. The annual cost per patient for those with CC was 157,207 TL for the progression-free period, 245,339 TL for the post-progression period, and 62,373 TL for the terminal care period. The annual cost per patient for patients with FPTC was 3,355 TL for the progression-free period, 101,326 TL for the post-progression period, and 531 TL for the terminal care period. For patients with FPTC, terminal care consists only of ten days of hospitalization in a normal unit.

CONCLUSIONS: The study aims to help decision makers who assess health technology evaluate new treatment options for non-small cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and thyroid cancer.