VIDEO: Weighing the cost-effectiveness of contralateral risk-reducing mastectomy

MIAMI – Some researchers suggest contralateral prophylactic mastectomy increases costs, compared with a less-extensive ipsilateral procedure. But if true, the additional cost of the surgery needs to be couched within patient concerns about survival, Dr. Anees Chagpar said at the annual Miami Breast Cancer Conference, held by Physicians’ Education Resource.

The cost-effectiveness can vary based on patient age. In addition, there are costs associated with not undergoing a prophylactic mastectomy that are often not considered, added Dr. Chagpar, director of the Breast Center, Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven (Conn.).

Dr. Chagpar reported no relevant financial disclosures.

MIAMI – Some researchers suggest contralateral prophylactic mastectomy increases costs, compared with a less-extensive ipsilateral procedure. But if true, the additional cost of the surgery needs to be couched within patient concerns about survival, Dr. Anees Chagpar said at the annual Miami Breast Cancer Conference, held by Physicians’ Education Resource.

The cost-effectiveness can vary based on patient age. In addition, there are costs associated with not undergoing a prophylactic mastectomy that are often not considered, added Dr. Chagpar, director of the Breast Center, Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven (Conn.).

Dr. Chagpar reported no relevant financial disclosures.

MIAMI – Some researchers suggest contralateral prophylactic mastectomy increases costs, compared with a less-extensive ipsilateral procedure. But if true, the additional cost of the surgery needs to be couched within patient concerns about survival, Dr. Anees Chagpar said at the annual Miami Breast Cancer Conference, held by Physicians’ Education Resource.

The cost-effectiveness can vary based on patient age. In addition, there are costs associated with not undergoing a prophylactic mastectomy that are often not considered, added Dr. Chagpar, director of the Breast Center, Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven (Conn.).

Dr. Chagpar reported no relevant financial disclosures.