Oncology

The implementation of alternative payment models that successfully capture clinical heterogeneity—without adding unacceptable levels of administrative complexity—may be equally (if not more) important than site-neutral payment policies.

Spending on chemotherapy drugs was lower among Medicare beneficiaries who received chemotherapy in hospital outpatient departments than among comparable beneficiaries receiving chemotherapy in physician offices.

After 5 years of research, the Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research has released a report that is the first in the nation to publicly report clinic-level quality measures linked to cost in oncology.

Genentech announced yesterday that the FDA has granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation to atezolizumab (Tecentriq) in combination with bevacizumab (Avastin) as a first-line treatment for patients with the most common form of liver cancer, advanced or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Results presented at the 2018 American Society of Clinical Oncology's Annual Meeting found that transoral robotic-assisted surgery (TORS), following chemotherapy and neck resections, is an effective model for the definitive treatment for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) while avoiding the adverse effects of radiation.

There are concerns that cancer care costs may increase as the site of provider-administered cancer drugs shifts from physician offices to hospital outpatient departments. The lead author of a July paper explains why the findings of her study differ from previous research and highlights the importance of considering patient characteristics.

Current screening criteria for lung cancer risk assessments often miss a large proportion of cases. Research suggests that a panel of circulating protein biomarkers may improve lung cancer risk assessment and may be used to define eligibility for computed tomography screening.