OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to estimate the economic burden of dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS) in metastatic and non-metastatic patients and compare the burden with other types of liposarcoma (LPS) and soft tissue sarcoma (STS) in Denmark.

METHODS: This retrospective observational study included all adults (≥18 years) diagnosed with STS in the Danish cancer registry from January 2005–December 2021. Patients were categorized based on their initial diagnosis (DDLPS, other LPS, other STS). Economic burden, assessed during one year pre-diagnosis and the first and second years post-diagnosis, included direct medical costs (DMC) for in- and out-patient visits and prescribed drugs. The cost of chemotherapy and surgery were included in in- and out-patient visits. Additionally, a subgroup analysis of the DMC in DDLPS patients with metastasis within 90 days of diagnosis was performed.

RESULTS: A total of 256, 620, and 7255 patients were identified in the DDLPS, other LPS, and other STS cohorts, respectively. DMC in the DDLPS cohort increased from 34,329€ in the pre-index period to 63,397€ in the first year post-diagnosis. Similar increases of DMC were observed in the other LPS and other STS cohort. However, DMC were higher in the DDLPS cohort in all three time-periods compared to the LPS and STS cohort. DDLPS patients with metastasis (n=36) had a higher DMC compared to DDLPS patients without metastasis (n=220). In the first year post-diagnosis, the average DMC of patients with metastasis was 73,553€ compared to 61,753€ in patients without metastatic DDLPS. DMC were almost entirely (99% of total costs) driven by the cost of in- and out-patients visits in both subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS: The economic burden of DDLPS is higher compared to LPS and STS and imposes a significant burden on the healthcare sector in Denmark. Management of DDLPS patients with metastasis is associated with higher costs compared to patients without metastasis.