A Medicare analysis makes the shocking revelation that breast radiation over shorter courses (i.e., ≤20 fractions) have a lower median cost at $9,418 (IQR $7,966-$10,982) than do longer courses at $13,601 (IQR 11,814-$15,499). Amazingly, same goes for prostate SBRT (i.e., ≤10 fractions) at a median of $6,924 (IQR $4,509-$12,905) versus moderate hypofractionation (11-30 fractions) at $18,768 (IQR $15,421-$20,740) versus longer course (>30 fractions) at $27,319 (IQR $25,446-$29,421). The authors conclude “efforts to implement ROCR may support more appropriate valuation for improved per-treatment efficiency.” | Patel, Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2023
