This study will develop and validate a comprehensive prostate cancer (PC) policy model to estimate the health effects and cost-effectiveness of PC treatments. This involves model development, measuring costs and utilities, and using the model in clinical and health economic applications. In a previous study, the research team gathered much of the primary cost and utility data for the model. This study is the first full application of the model, studying androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for late stage PC. ADT is being used for an expanding repertoire of indications, is very costly, and is associated with adverse effects.

Objectives:
i) Describe patterns of ADT use in Ontario from 1995 to 2005.
ii) Estimate stage-specific and lifetime costs for various types of ADT therapy.
iii) Use the policy model to estimate the health effects and cost-effectiveness of ADT for PC patients with clinically evident metastatic disease.
iv) Use the policy model to estimate the health effects and cost-effectiveness of ADT for PC patients with biochemical recurrence after initial therapy.