Intensive follow-up for colorectal cancer is cost-effective

Abstract

Question

Is intensive follow-up after curative resection for colorectal cancer cost-effective compared with conventional follow-up methods?

Study design

Incremental cost-effectiveness analysis based on a meta-analysis of 5 RCTs.

Main results

Over 5 years, people having intensive follow-up gained 0.73 to 0.82 life years compared with conventional follow-up (absolute reduction in mortality with intensive follow-up: all trials 7%; 95% CI 5% to 9%; extramural trials only 9%; 95% CI 7% to 11%). Additional costs incurred by intensive follow-up were £3402 per life year gained (or £3077 based on extramural trials only). The net costs per person were £2479 and £2529, respectively.

Authors’ conclusions

Intensive follow-up of people with colorectal cancer is cost-effective compared to conventional methods, based on a robust economic model and efficacy evidence from 5 RCTs.