ESTIMATED COSTS OF CERVICAL CANCER CARE IN A PUBLIC REFERENCE HOSPITAL

Introduction: Although cervical cancer is a potentially avoidable and curable neoplasm, it presents a high incidence and mortality, especially in developing countries where it represents the third most frequent type of cancer and the third cause of cancer death among women. Objective: The objective of this study is to estimate the direct medical costs of cervical cancer care in a public reference hospital for Oncology in Southern Brazil. Methods: A retrospective cohort of cervical cancer patients diagnosed and treated at the General Hospital of Caxias do Sul between January 2012 and December 2016 was identified by CID C53.9. The economical analysis was estimated from individual cost of each patient to the national unified health system (SUS). The procedures were identified and quantified per patient, and monetary values were assigned, consolidated per care phase predefined by researchers. The descriptive analyses for costs were expressed in Reais (R$). Results: 130 patients with cervical cancer treated at the institution were evaluated. Overall, the cohort represented a cost of R$ 1,383,031.00, being 50.9% (R$ 794,612.00) related to outpatient care, 11.3% (R$ 156,323.00) to hospitalizations, 15.2% (R$ 211,189.00) to surgical procedures and 13.2% (R$ 187,363.00) to imaging exams. Considering only outpatient care, 58.3% (R$ 463,240.00) of costs were destined to chemotherapy and 41.7% (R$ 241,372.00) to radiotherapy. Conclusion: This study provides relevant data regarding the cost of cervical cancer patients assisted in a public reference hospital. In addition, the study reinforces the impact of this problem to the national public health system, corroborating that primary and secondary preventions of this neoplasm should be prioritized.