Cost of prostate cancer treatment

Researchers from Johns Hopkins concluded the cost of prostate cancer treatment varies and depends on the therapy a man initially receives.

Men with early stage prostate cancer can choose from a list of treatments including surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, watchful waiting or combinations of each. The new study showed, for most prostate cancer cases, costs were highest in the first year and then dropped and remained steady for the next several years. However, cost patterns varied depending on the initial treatment received.

Watchful waiting had the lowest initial ($4,270) and five-year costs ($9,130). Hormone therapy plus radiation had the highest initial cost ($17,474) followed by surgery ($15,197).  Hormonal therapy had the highest five-year total costs ($26,896).
 
Researchers say these findings provide new insight for patients, doctors and others involved in prostate cancer care.