INTRODUCTION: Several studies, including the recently published phase III study by Stenzl and colleagues have demonstrated that hexaminolevulinate hydrochloride, when used with blue light fluorescence cystoscopy, improves detection of non-muscle invasive bladder tumors compared to white light cystoscopy and transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURB) alone.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The objective of this study was to conduct a detailed assessment of the cost-effectiveness of using hexaminolevulinate hydrochloride with blue light cystoscopy as an adjunct to white light versus white light cystoscopy alone at time of initial TURB in the United States. A probabilistic decision tree model, using TreeAge Pro 2011 software, was developed using base case scenario cost and utility estimates.
RESULTS: Incorporation of hexaminolevulinate hydrochloride into diagnostic cystoscopy results in lower costs over 5 years ($25,921) as compared to those patients who initially receive white light cystoscopy ($30,581). Those patients who initially receive hexaminolevulinate hydrochloride blue light TURB also experience a lower overall cancer burden.
CONCLUSIONS: Hexaminolevulinate hydrochloride may be cost effective when used at first TURB for patients with suspected new or recurrent non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.
Written by:
Garfield SS, Gavaghan MB, Armstrong SO, Jones JS. Are you the author?
GfK Bridgehead, Wayland, Massachusetts, USA.
Reference: Can J Urol. 2013 Apr;20(2):6682-9.
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 23587507
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