ESTRO 2022 - Abstract Book

S870

Abstract book

ESTRO 2022

46 radiation oncologists and planning benchmarks were completed by all 24 centres, 22 of which underwent the dosimetry audit. All assessments were reported through standard templates to ensure consistent feedback. Conclusion The implementation of lung SABR was completed in June 2021. Collaboration amongst all stakeholders ensured centres were trained and supported to safely deliver high-quality SABR for lung primary and oligometastatic disease. The education, mentoring and QA program proved effective and has now been rolled out to other oligometastatic sites.

Poster (digital): Health economics / health services research

PO-1035 Quantifying societal burden of radiation-induced cardiovascular events in breast cancer survivors

E. Kimpe 1 , A. Werbrouck 1 , M. De Ridder 2 , K. Putman 1

1 Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Public Health, Brussels, Belgium; 2 University Hospital Brussels, Radiotherapy, Brussels, Belgium

Purpose or Objective Radiation-induced cardiotoxicity is an important health concern for clinicians during the treatment of breast cancer (BC) patients. Underlying mechanisms are well-documented, whereas little is known about the societal impact of this long-term effect. This study aimed to quantify the additional burden of radiation-induced cardiovascular (CV) diseases in BC survivors. Materials and Methods Conventional health economic modelling techniques were used to estimate incremental CV-related costs and disutility - expressed in quality adjusted life years (QALYs)- in a hypothetical cohort of BC survivors. A situation in which radiotherapy caused an additional CV risk was compared with a situation in which this risk was not taken into account. Uncertainty was assessed via sensitivity analyses. Results Radiation-induced cardiotoxicity evokes a mean expected incremental cost of € 283.41 per woman over a time horizon of 20 years after BC treatment. An mean expected decrement of 0.018 QALYs (per woman) might be estimated when the radiation-induced cardiotoxic risk is taken into account in BC survivors. Incremental costs and disutility increased with index age (see figure 1). A scenario analysis showed that these results were more profound in women with more advanced staging.

Conclusion In the past decades, strong emphasis has been placed on strategies to counteract radiation-induced cardiotoxic effects in BC patients. To date, there is a general belief that continuing efforts should be made to lower mean heart doses. On the contrary, our analyses suggest that with current radiation doses, minor costs and disutility are to be expected from radiation-induced cardiotoxicity in BC survivors. With regard to the opportunity costs of further efforts and investments on counteract radiation-induced cardiotoxic effects, this new insight should encourage radiation-oncologists to consider other priorities to tackle long-term comorbidities in cancer survivors.