Treatment, short-term outcomes, and costs associated with larynx cancer care in commercially insured patients

Objectives/Hypothesis: To examine associations between treatment, complications, and costs in patients with laryngeal cancer. Study Design: Retrospective cross-sectional analysis of MarketScan Commercial Claim and Encounters data. Methods: We evaluated 10,969 patients diagnosed with laryngeal cancer from 2010 to 2012 using cross-tabulations and multivariate regression. Results: Chemoradiation was significantly associated with supraglottic tumors (relative risk ratio [RRR] = 5.9 [4.4–7.8]), pretreatment gastrostomy (RRR = 4.0 [2.7–6.1]), and alcohol abuse (RRR = 0.5 [0.3–0.9]). Treatment-related complications occurred in 23% of patients, with medical complications in 22% and surgical complications in 7%. Chemoradiation (odds ratio [OR] = 3.7 [2.6–5.2]), major surgical procedures (OR = 4.9 [3.5–6.8]), reconstruction (OR = 7.7 (4.1–14.7)], and advanced comorbidity (OR = 9.7 [5.7–16.5] were associated with acute complications. Recurrent/persistent disease occurred in 23% of patients and was associated with high-volume care (OR = 1.4 [1.1–1.8]). Salvage surgery was performed in 46% of patients with recurrent/persistent disease and was less likely for supraglottic disease (OR = 0.5 [0.4–0.8]) and after chemoradiation (OR = 0.4 [0.2–0.6]). Initial treatment and 1-year overall costs for chemoradiation were higher than all other treatment categories, after controlling for all other variables including complications and salvage. High-volume care was associated with significantly lower costs of care for surgical patients but was not associated with differences in costs of care for nonoperative treatment. Conclusions: In commercially insured patients <65 years old with laryngeal cancer, chemoradiation was associated with increased costs, an increased likelihood of treatment-related medical complications, and a reduced likelihood of surgical salvage. Higher-volume surgical care was associated with lower initial treatment and 1-year costs of care. These data have implications for discussions of value and quality in an era of healthcare reform. Level of Evidence: 2c. Laryngoscope, 128:91–101, 2018.