Cost Analysis of PET/CT Versus CT as Surveillance for Stage III Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer After Definitive Radiation Therapy

摘要

We estimated and compared the costs of positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) versus CT for surveillance of patients with stage III non-small-cell lung cancer and identified patient and provider demographic characteristics associated with preference for PET/CT. PET/CT was associated with higher costs for 18 months post-treatment, but the difference was borderline statistically significant at 24 months. Consistent with national guidelines, PET/CT surveillance was not cost-saving and did not provide an economic benefit over CT.