Health care expenditures among long-term survivors of pediatric solid tumors: Results from the French Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (FCCSS) and the French network of cancer registries (FRANCIM)

BackgroundChildhood cancer survivors (CCS) may require lifelong medical care due to late effects of cancer treatments. Little is known about of their healthcare utilization and expenditures at long-term especially in publicly funded health care system. We aim to estimate and describe the health care expenditures among long-term CCS in France. MethodsA total of 5319 five-year solid CCS diagnosed before the age of 21 between 1945 and 2000 in France were identified in the French Childhood Cancer Survivors Study cohort (FCCSS) and the French cancer registry. Information about health care expenditure was taken from the French national health data system between 2011 and 2016, and was described according to survivors' characteristics. Generalized linear models were used to determine associations between health care expenditures and survivors' characteristics. ResultsMean annual amount of healthcare expenditures was euro 4,255. Expenditures on hospitalizations and pharmacy represents 60% of total expenditures. Mean annual of healthcare expenditures were higher at increasing age, among women survivors (euro 4,795 vs euro 3,814 in men) and in central nervous system (CNS) tumor survivors (euro 7,116 vs euro 3,366 in lymphoma and euro 3,363 in other solid tumor survivors). ConclusionsChildhood cancer survivorship is associated with a substantial economic burden in France. We found that female gender and CNS primary cancer were associated with increased healthcare expenditures.

Automated summary

Childhood cancer survivors in France face a substantial economic burden, with higher healthcare expenditures among female survivors and those with central nervous system primary cancer.