• Ana Macedo, António Araújo, Fernando Carvalho Melo, Garção Nunes, Guilhermina Cantinho, and Inêz Amorin.
• Keypoint, Serviço de Urologia do Hospital Curry Cabral, Atomedical, Lisboa, Portugal.
• Acta Medica Port. 2006 Sep 1; 19 (5): 421-6.

IntroductionProstate cancer is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. In Portugal alone, according to a study published in 2003, the rate of new prostate cancer cases were 53 per 100,000 men (in 2000), with an age-standardized mortality rate of about 28 per 100,000 (in 1995). Multiple bone metastases are one of the major complications of advanced prostate cancer. Samarium-EDTMP showed to be a safe and effective alternative for palliative treatment of bone metastases. The goal of this economic study is to assess the cost-effectiveness of Samarium-153-EDTMP for the treatment of pain due to multiple bone metastases in hormone-refractory prostate cancer versus conventional pain therapy, in Portugal.MethodologyCost-effectiveness study that compares the expected direct costs to the National Health System of managing patients with painful multiple bone metastases with Samarium-153-EDTMP versus conventional pain therapy, in Portugal, in a 4-moths period.ResultsThe total direct 4 months cost was 2,311.91 euro for a patient treated with Samarium-153-EDTMP versus 2,450.74 euro for a patient under standard treatment. According to the model a patient treated with Samarium-153-EDTMP represents a 138.83 euros saving.ConclusionSamarium-153-EDTMP was not only a very effective therapeutic option but also an option with less cost than the conventional pain therapy, in patients with pain due to multiple bone metastases, in Portugal.

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