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Annals of Surgical Oncology

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01-04-2009 | Melanomas

The Cost-Effectiveness of Sentinel Node Biopsy in Patients with Intermediate Thickness Primary Cutaneous Melanoma

Authors: R. L. Morton, MScMed (Clin Epi), K. Howard, PhD, J. F. Thompson, MD

Published in: Annals of Surgical Oncology | Issue 4/2009

Abstract

Background

The aim of this study was to determine the cost-effectiveness of wide excision (WEX) + sentinel node biopsy (SNB) compared with WEX only in patients with primary melanomas ≥1 mm in thickness.

Methods

A Markov model was populated with probabilities of disease progression and survival from the published literature. Costs were obtained from diagnostic-related group weightings and health outcomes were measured in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs).

Results

Base case analyses suggested that, over a 20–year timeframe, the mean total cost per patient receiving WEX only was AU $23,182 with 10.45 life years (LY) and 9.90 QALYs. The mean cost per patient for WEX + SNB was AU $24,045 with 10.77 LY and 10.34 QALYs. The incremental cost effectiveness ratio for WEX + SNB was AU $2,770 per LY and AU $1,983 per QALY.

Conclusion

WEX + SNB appears to offer an improvement in health outcomes (in both LYs and QALYs) with only a slight increase in cost.

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Title: The Cost-Effectiveness of Sentinel Node Biopsy in Patients with Intermediate Thickness Primary Cutaneous Melanoma
Authors: R. L. Morton, MScMed (Clin Epi)
K. Howard, PhD
J. F. Thompson, MD
Publication date: 01-04-2009
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Annals of Surgical Oncology / Issue 4/2009
Print ISSN: 1068-9265
Electronic ISSN: 1534-4681
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-008-0164-z

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

The Cost-Effectiveness of Sentinel Node Biopsy in Patients with Intermediate Thickness Primary Cutaneous Melanoma

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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