Costs of Care in a Matched Pair Comparison of Intensity-modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) Versus Conventional Radiation Therapy (CRT) for the Treatment of Head and Neck Cancer

摘要

Objectives: Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) has been rapidly adopted for the treatment of head and neck cancer. Limited comparative effectiveness data suggest that IMRT reduces the incidence of xerostomia and improves quality of life. We assess the cost of IMRT versus the older conventional radiation therapy (CRT) relative to other potential drivers of cost in patients with head and neck cancer.