Adaptable framework for cost-analyses in radiotherapy: Application to the cost of proton versus photon therapy for lung cancer in The Netherlands.

Background/purpose: Proton radiation-therapy (PrT) may provide clinical benefit for lung cancer compared to photon radiation-therapy (PhT), however is more costly. Literature reporting costs for PrT, PhT, and comparisons thereof, particularly from a societal perspective, are scarce. This study aims to provide an adaptable framework to estimate PrT/PhT costs, demonstrated through application to lung cancer, from societal and healthcare perspectives.