Oncoplastic approach in the conservative treatment of breast cancer: analysis of costs.

[PURPOSE] To analyze the direct costs of conservative surgical treatment of breast cancer, performed in a university hospital, to the Brazilian National Health Care Public System (SUS), checking the impact of the oncoplastic approach on these costs.

[METHODS] One hundred thirty eight breast cancer patients who had undergone conservative treatment with oncoplastic approach (n=36) or not (control group, n=102), in the period from 2005 to 2010, were enrolled. Sociodemographic and clinical data were recorded. The direct costs of the surgical procedure were obtained and analyzed.

[RESULTS] Groups did not differ in regard to age (p=0.963), and patients in oncoplastic group had a longer time of hospital stay (p=0.000). The median direct cost for the oncoplastic group was R$461.00 and for the control group was R$229.00 (p=0.000).

[CONCLUSION] The oncoplastic approach has generated higher direct costs in conservative surgical treatment of breast cancer to SUS.