Advanced liver cancer is treated primarily with medications.
Out-of-pocket costs for chemotherapy were above RMB 4,000
Chemotherapy drugs are treated according to the FOLFOX4 regimen approved in China’s primary hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis and treatment specification, using the domestic oxaliplatin, at a cost of about RMB 5,000 per cycle, which is fully covered by medical insurance with about 30% out-of-pocket. The XELOX regimen can also be used at a cost of 6,000-7,000 per cycle, which is also fully covered by health insurance with an out-of-pocket payment of about 30%. Chemotherapy will be accompanied by preventive drugs such as antiemetic, protective and stomach care drugs, adjuvant anti-tumor drugs such as Chinese herbal medicine, immunomodulators and other drugs, the cost of which varies and some of them are not covered by medical insurance. If there is a toxic side effect during chemotherapy, or if there is a drop in white blood cells and platelets after chemotherapy, and medication is needed, there will be additional costs.
The FOLFOX4 regimen is usually 4 cycles, which means that the disease is evaluated by repeat imaging every 8 weeks and chemotherapy is continued if it is effective, usually no more than 12 times. The XELOX regimen is reviewed every 2 cycles, or about 6 weeks, to assess the disease on imaging, and if it is working, chemotherapy is continued, usually no more than 8 times.
