UK 5,115

Germany 3,727

France 2,531

Italy2,836Spain

2,216

1. Epidemiology and prevalence of an acute cancer

mapping the policy response to an acute cancer in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is the most common form of acute leukaemia in adults, although it is considered a rare disease. The disease often a�ects the older person and is uncommon before the age of 45. Incidence is expected to rise with an ageing population and place greater demands on healthcare systems. Our report, which looks at the policy response in five European countries as well as the patient experience, is available at the Economist Intelligence Unit’s World Cancer Initiative.

Acute Myeloid Leukaemia:

17.5% 62%

AML has the fifth worst five-year survival by cancer type. Five-year survival in the EU is around 17.5%.1

Median survival is around 8.5 months.2

The disease is responsible for 62% of all leukaemia deaths.3

Out of the five countries in our study, the UK has the largest number of AML cases.4

Total deaths globally:

99,000

Prevalence of acute myeloid leukaemia in the EU5, all ages

(number of cases), 2017

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

1,00,000

1,20,000

Consider initiatives to provide more “homely” accommodation alternatives to regular hospital wards or allow outpatient care as this can boost patient wellbeing and reduce costs.

Raising awareness of symptoms among primary care physicians and the public could speed up diagnosis of AML, which can be deadly if left untreated.

Most patient groups are small, lacking resources, and focused on support during active treatment. Patients would benefit if these groups could extend support to after-care for “survivors” who will need advocacy support to speak up loudly for the disease.

Improving data collection to inform service provision is important. Comprehensive data on the epidemiology and management of AML are not currently collected and initiatives to improve data collection and share it across Europe require greater support.

Supported by

1 Gatta G, Capocaccia R, Botta L et al. Burden and centralized treatment in Europe of rare tumours: results of RARECAREnet—a population-based study. Lancet Oncol. 2017 Aug;18(8):1022-1039. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(17)30445-X. Epub 2017 Jul 4.

2 Shallis RM, Wang R, Davido� A, Ma X, Zeidan AM.Epidemiology of acute myeloid leukemia: Recent progress and enduring challenges. Blood Rev. 2019 Jul;36:70-87. doi: 10.1016/j.blre.2019.04.005. Epub 2019 Apr 29.

3 Ibid.

4 Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

5 Bewersdorf JP, Shallis RM, Wang R et al. Healthcare expenses for treatment of acute myeloid leukemia, Expert Review of Hematology 2019; 12(8) 641-650. DOI: 10.1080/17474086.2019.1627869

6 Bala-Hampton JE, Dudjak L, Albrecht T et al. Perceived Economic Hardship and Distress in Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. Journal of Oncology Navigation & Survivorship 2017; 8 (6): 258-264.

AML can have wide physical and psychosocial impacts on patients and their carers. Existing guidelines need to take into account the e�ects of AML management on quality of life and the patient’s holistic needs.

Greater centralisation of services is warranted, as is a multidisciplinary care approach. The care of people treated for AML is best placed within a few centres of excellence so they receive attention by a range of highly experienced professionals.

Faster genetic testing for diagnosis and monitoring is warranted. Each patient with AML has a unique profile of cytogenetic abnormalities which will a�ect their prognosis and the e�ectiveness of di�erent treatments. This individual profile can change throughout the disease course.

Improve the care experience for patients in hospitals by extending visiting hours and providing access to free wi-fi and televisions so they can maintain relationships and keep up to date with work or study.

2. Economic costs

3. Policy priorities for the future

Hospital stays are the main driver of healthcare costs for AML.

Costs can vary significantly depending on the care pathway set for patients which is dependent on their physical fitness and cytogenetic profiles. £3,708

($5,837)

Best supported care for first

6 months

Intensive chemotherapy

for first 6 months

£112,545 ($177,187)

Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation incurs high costs. Between 4 to 23 times higher than supportive care and up to double the cost of intensive chemotherapy.5

Patients living with AML report higher levels of economic hardship and distress compared to other cancer su�erers. Around three quarters are concerned about their finances and being able to pay bills.6

FINAL DEMAND