572 Background: Bladder preservation with trimodal therapy (TMT), which consists of maximal transurethral resection of bladder tumors followed by chemoradiation, is now included in guidelines with radical cystectomy (RC) as options for definitive management of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Prospective randomized controlled trial data to help guide treatment selection are lacking, and prior efforts to bridge this knowledge gap have failed primarily due to poor accrual. A recent retrospective analysis comparing TMT to RC reported similar oncologic outcomes between these treatments when performed in highly selected patients. However, treatment toxicities and costs vary significantly between these management options. To investigate the impact of these outcomes on relative treatment value, we evaluated the comparative cost-effectiveness of TMT and RC for treatment of MIBC. Methods: Cost-effectiveness was compared between TMT and RC for patients with a solitary, muscle-invasive tumor less than 7cm, no or unilateral hydronephrosis, limited carcinoma in situ, and adequate bladder function (criteria utilized in a recent retrospective comparative series) using a microsimulation model with a 5-year horizon from a Medicare payer perspective. Additionally, a 10-year lifetime horizon was evaluated to better understand the impact of long-term outcome uncertainty on cost-effectiveness. Based on recently published multicenter retrospective propensity score matched data, metastatic progression and survival probabilities were assumed to be equivalent between treatments. Utility values and additional probabilities, including both short and long-term treatment toxicities, were obtained from published literature. Primary outcomes of interest included effectiveness measured in quality adjusted life years (QALYs) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) using a willingness-to-pay threshold of $100,000/QALY. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the model. Results: At 5 years, the average cost was $32,286.35 higher for TMT versus RC. The average QALYs were 3.88 and 3.96 for RC and TMT respectively. TMT was not cost-effective at 5-year (ICER: $379,917.21/QALY) or 10-year (ICER: $222,704.78/QALY) time horizons. On one-way sensitivity analyses, TMT would become cost effective if: 1) TMT costs were less than $16,152; or 2) TMT resulted in a 13.3% improvement in metastasis free survival relative to RC. Conclusions: Although it resulted in similar quality and duration of life, TMT was not cost-effective relative to RC at 5 and 10 years given higher treatment costs. These findings support the role of both TMT and RC in management of MIBC and highlight the need for continued efforts to reduce healthcare costs associated with TMT.
A SEER-Medicare based quality score for patients with synchronous and metachronous metastatic upper tract urothelial carcinoma and its association with cost of care and survival.
482 Background: Population-based studies evaluating outcomes exclusively for metastatic upper tract urothelial carcinoma (mUTUC) are sparse and often only capture patients with de novo (synchronous) metastases as opposed to those who progress to metastatic disease (metachronous). We sought to evaluate the outcomes and costs associated with mUTUC and employ a novel methodology to identify both synchronous and metachronous mUTUC patients using claims data. Additionally, we created a guideline-based quality score to improve quality of care in this space. Methods: Using the SEER-Medicare database we identified patients aged 66 years and older diagnosed with mUTUC between 2004 and 2012. Achievement of the following quality criteria was assessed: 1) cancer-specific survival greater than 12 months; 2) receipt of systemic therapy; 3) receipt of hospice/palliative care. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox proportional hazard models were used to compare overall survival between quality scores (0 vs. ≥1) and synchronous vs. metachronous mUTUC. Total healthcare and Medicare Part D out-of-pocket costs within two years of diagnosis were evaluated. Regression analyses were performed to assess characteristics associated with quality criteria and total healthcare costs. Results: Of the 1,223 patients identified, 381 (31.2%) and 842 (68.8%) had synchronous and metachronous mUTUC, respectively. At least one quality criterion was met in 40.2% of patients. Notably, only 54 patients (4.4%) received palliative care services. On multivariable analysis, patients with synchronous mUTUC (OR:0.55, 95%CI:0.41–0.72), and at least 3 comorbidities (OR:0.68, 95%CI:0.47–0.98), were less likely to achieve at least one quality criterion. Patients meeting quality criteria had longer survival compared with patients who did not meet criteria (HR:0.52, 95%CI: 0.46–0.59). Meeting at least one quality criterion was independently associated with increased costs ($94,677, 95%CI: 87702–101652 vs. $63575, 95%CI: 59598–67552) on multivariable regression analysis. Conclusions: Less than half of mUTUC patients met at least one quality criterion. Quality score achievement was associated with longer overall survival at a modest increase in total healthcare spending. These findings not only provide guidance for future study of rare diseases using secondary data, but also highlight inadequacies in the current management of mUTUC.