OBJECTIVES

: To carry out a complete economic evaluation of the Mobile Electron Accelerator for intraoperative radiotherapy for the treatment of patients with breast cancer from the perspective of the public health institutions in Mexico, in comparison with low or high energy linear accelerators.

METHODS

: A cost minimization analysis was carried out, because there is no statistically significant difference in safety and efficacy between the Mobile Electron Accelerator for intraoperative radiotherapy and radiotherapy with high or low energy accelerators (Fastner, et al., 2014). The total cost of each device was calculated, which included: the cost of the device, the cost of adapting spaces for its use, the cost of the guarantee and maintenance policy. The total cost was compared during a time horizon of 15 years (useful life of the device). It was also compared the equivalent annual cost and the cost per session. The discount rate was 5%.

RESULTS

: Comparing the total cost for 15 years, the savings would be $105,600,547 with the use of the Mobile Electron Accelerator vs the low energy accelerator and $194,576,856 vs the high energy accelerator. Comparing the equivalent annual cost, the annual savings are $10,173,798 vs the low energy accelerator and $ 18,745,979 vs the high energy accelerator. In the case of cost per radiotherapy session, for each session there is a saving of $15,847 vs the low energy linear accelerator and $ 29,199 vs the high energy linear accelerator.

CONCLUSIONS

: The treatment with Mobile Electron Accelerator for intraoperative radiotherapy has proven to be a better option since it is less expensive than the low or high energy linear accelerators, being equally safe and effective for the treatment of patients with breast cancer.