The guiding principles of the predominant methods of economic evaluation,cost-effectiveness analysis and cost-utility analysis, are briefly outlined, stressing the usefulness of the methods as a systematic approach to a structured and consistent analysis of decision problems, e.g. involving choices between treatment alternatives. The paper continues with an assessment of state of the art of economic evaluations of urinary tract cancers, based on a comprehensive survey of the available publications, which are limited to bladder cancer and advanced prostate cancer. Following a description of the methods employed in the relatively few existing studies and their results, it is concluded that they are of very dubious value in providing reliable guidance on the relative costs and benefits of treatment alternatives, as they are very rudimentary and usually based on data of low quality. Considering the high and growing incidence of both prostate and bladder cancer, there is an urgent need for economic assessment of a high methodological standard and based on data of a good quality.

Keywords:
Economic evaluation, Cost-effectiveness analysis, Cost-utility analysis, Cost of illness
This content is only available via PDF.
1997
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.