Open AccessSurvival Impact and Cost‐Effectiveness of a Multidisciplinary Tumor Board for Breast Cancer in Mozambique, Sub‐Saharan Africa
Author(s) -
Brandão Mariana,
Guisseve Assucena,
Bata Genoveva,
FirminoMachado João,
Alberto Matos,
Ferro Josefo,
Garcia Carlos,
Zaqueu Clésio,
Jamisse Astrilde,
Lorenzoni Cesaltina,
PiccartGebhart Martine,
Leitão Dina,
Come Jotamo,
Soares Otília,
GudoMorais Alberto,
Schmitt Fernando,
Tulsidás Satish,
Carrilho Carla,
Lunet Nuno
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
the oncologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.176
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1549-490X
pISSN - 1083-7159
DOI - 10.1002/onco.13643
Subject(s) - medicine , hazard ratio , breast cancer , confidence interval , cohort , proportional hazards model , cancer , prospective cohort study , oncology
Background Despite the international endorsement of multidisciplinary tumor boards (MTBs) for breast cancer care, implementation is suboptimal worldwide, and evidence regarding their effectiveness in developing countries is lacking. We assessed the impact on survival and the cost‐effectiveness of implementing an MTB in Mozambique, sub‐Saharan Africa. Materials and Methods This prospective cohort study included 205 patients with breast cancer diagnosed between January 2015 and August 2017 (98 before and 107 after MTB implementation), followed to November 2019. Pre‐ and post‐MTB implementation subcohorts were compared for clinical characteristics, treatments, and overall survival. We used hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI), computed by Cox proportional hazards regression. The impact of MTB implementation on the cost per quality‐adjusted life year (QALY) was estimated from the provider perspective. Results We found no significant differences between pre‐ and post‐MTB subcohorts regarding clinical characteristics or treatments received. Among patients with early breast cancer (stage 0–III; n = 163), the 3‐year overall survival was 48.0% (95% CI, 35.9–59.1) in the pre‐MTB and 73.0% (95% CI, 61.3–81.6) in the post‐MTB subcohort; adjusted hazard ratio, 0.47 (95% CI, 0.27–0.81). The absolute 3‐year mean cost increase was $119.83 per patient, and the incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio was $802.96 per QALY, corresponding to 1.6 times the gross domestic product of Mozambique. Conclusion The implementation of a MTB in Mozambique led to a 53% mortality decrease among patients with early breast cancer, and it was cost‐effective. These findings highlight the feasibility of implementing this strategy and the need for scaling‐up MTBs in developing countries, as a way to improve patient outcomes. Implications for Practice Currently, more than half of the deaths from breast cancer in the world occur in developing countries. Strategies that optimize care and that are adjusted for available resources are needed to improve the outcomes of patients with breast cancer in these regions. The discussion of cases at multidisciplinary tumor boards (MTBs) may improve survival outcomes, but implementation is suboptimal worldwide, and evidence regarding their effectiveness in developing countries is lacking. This study evaluated the impact of implementing an MTB on the care and survival of patients with breast cancer in Mozambique, sub‐Saharan Africa and its cost‐effectiveness in this low‐income setting.