Aldo S. Ledesma-Luján, Servicio de Cirugía Digestiva, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Hospital de Especialidades, Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad (UMAE) Puebla, Puebla, México
Álvaro J. Montiel-Jarquín, Servicio de Enseñanza e Investigación, IMSS, Hospital de Especialidades, UMAE Puebla, Puebla, México
Arturo García-Galicia, Departamento de la División de Enseñanza e Investigación, IMSS, Hospital de Especialidades, UMAE Puebla, Puebla, México
José L. Ramírez-Vásquez, Servicio de Cirugía Digestiva, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Hospital de Especialidades, Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad (UMAE) Puebla, Puebla, México
Jorge Garza-Sánchez, Departamento de Coloproctología, Hospital Ángeles Puebla, Puebla, México
Jaime A. Hernández-Ruiz, Departamento de Coloproctología, Hospital Ángeles Puebla, Puebla, México
Luis Gibrán-Juárez-Hernández, Departamento de Metodología de la Investigación Científica, Socioformación y Desarrollo Humano, CIFE, Morelos, México
Juan A. Villanueva-Herrero, Anorectal Physiology Unit, Coloproctology Service, Hospital General de México “Dr. Eduardo Liceaga”, Mexico City, Mexico
Jorge L. De León-Rendón, Departamento de Coloproctología, Hospital General de México Dr. Eduardo Liceaga, Ciudad de México, México
Billy Jiménez-Bobadilla, Servicio de Coloproctología, Hospital General de México Dr. Eduardo Liceaga, Ciudad de México, México
Carlos A. López-Bernal, Anorectal Physiology Unit, Coloproctology Service, Hospital General de México “Dr. Eduardo Liceaga”, Mexico City, Mexico
Objective: The objective is to emphasize the importance of preventive action as an integral part of the management of rectal cancer in the health system. The cost of diagnosis and treatment of rectal cancer varies significantly with the clinical stage of the disease. This observational study compares the direct costs of medical care for patients with early and advanced rectal cancer in a tertiary hospital in Mexico. Methods: With a sample of 45 patients and robust statistical analyses, the observational study was carried out. Results: The findings reveal that the advanced stage incurs higher costs compared to the initial stages, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis to reduce expenses. Conclusions: In conclusion, the effectiveness of prevention and early detection in reducing the financial and human burden of rectal cancer is highlighted.
Keywords: Rectal cancer. Healthcare costs. Clinical stages. Healthcare. Health economics.
