Cancer treatment centers often tout their advantages by mentioning advanced technology not available locally, discussing their unique method of care, and by displaying testimonials of former patients.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires drug ad claims, including those for treatments such as Avastin, to be substantiated by rigorous scientific studies. However, cancer treatment centers are outside of the authority of the FDA. Instead, they are subject to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) which allows nutritional supplement commercials to show testimonials of atypical weight loss results. According to FTC rules, non-profit cancer centers are allowed to show patient testimonials that do not represent their typical patients.
This means patients who are contemplating a cancer treatment center need to tread carefully to find out if a cancer center will provide better results than their in-network provider for their specific tumors. Unfortunately, many cancers benefit the most from standard therapy, so patients need to do their own research before making a decision.
Specialized Radiation Cancer Treatment
For example, Massachusetts General Hospital's cancer treatment center includes proton beam therapy. This type of treatment focuses radiation treatment on a small tumor without disturbing surrounding tissue. In this example, pediatric brain cancer would benefit greatly from proton beam treatment since it would leave surrounding brain tissue unharmed. The same is true for prostate cancer patients who need proton treatment to protect surrounding tissue in the prostate. On the other hand, large tumors in colon cancer would not much from using proton beam therapy since part of the colon can be resected without loss of life.
Any time when a cancer center advertises advanced technology not available with standard treatment, the patient needs to investigate carefully as to whether any technology will make a difference with a patient's specific tumors. Those with complicated cases may benefit whereas others with simpler tumors would benefit just as much from standard chemotherapy and radiation.
Cancer Treatment Center Costs
First of all, the cost includes any out-of-town lodging and travel expenses. Secondly, most patients will owe a substantial balance to the cancer treatment center after all health insurance benefits have been accounted for. For example, co-payments and deductibles are always the responsibility of the patient. Since cancer treatment centers are usually out-of-network, they are usually subject to the highest co-payments.
Even if health insurance covers 100% of reasonable and customary (or usual and customary) charges, it's likely the patient will still owe money. Treatment costs often exceed reasonable and customary costs, most likely due to the specialized care received that is normally not included with standard treatment from an in-network provider.
The best strategy for patients to pursue is to investigate how a cancer treatment would significantly improve prospects over the standard treatment. The patients with the best prospects of benefiting from cancer treatment centers are those with rare cancers such as mesothelioma, advanced tumors or complex cases that cannot be adequately dealt with by standard treatment. For them, the extra money spent at a cancer treatment center may very well be worth it.
Reference:
Singer, Natasha. "Forty Years' War - Cancer Center Ads Appeal to Emotion at a Fragile Time." New York Times (December 19, 2009).
