In new research likely to reinvigorate the national debate over Medicare costs, a team of medical specialists has concluded the cost for treating advanced colorectal cancer in Medicare recipients is soaring, but about half of those patients derive no significant life-extending benefits from therapy.

The study, published online ahead of print in the journal Medical Care, shows that costs for treating advanced colorectal cancer in seniors has skyrocketed since 2000. In fact, the rate of metastatic colorectal cancer patients older than age 75 receiving three or more treatments increased from 2 percent to 53 percent between 2000 and 2009

Over that time, 1-year treatment cost increased 32 percent to reach an estimated $2.2 billion annually. But the study also found that the median survival for these patients increased by only one month.

The researchers — from the University of Colorado School of Public Health — said the findings raise troubling questions about the costs and benefits for such heroic end-of-life measures, noting many treatments carry nasty side effects that can compromise the quality of patients’ lives without adding much to the quality of life.

"In addition, these newer therapies carry more toxicities than many of the older therapies. These patients may get sicker and it costs them a lot of money with almost no survival benefit," said Cathy J. Bradley, an associate director for Population Science Research at the University of Colorado Cancer Center and professor at the Colorado School of Public Health.

The study examined the medical records of 20,000 Medicare patients with metastatic colon or rectal cancer between the years 2000 and 2009. Researchers focused on the percentage of these patients treated with chemotherapy agents that have been found to benefit in younger patients and those with less advanced cancers.

The results showed patients aged 65 to 74 who received chemo survived an average of about 8 months longer than expected. But among those older than age 75, the therapy offered little benefit.

"Doctors and patients come to a point where none of the standard therapies have worked and so they're willing to take a risk because there are no other treatment options available. They decide to give newly approved therapies a try despite there being no solid evidence for their use in these older low life-expectancy patients," Bradley said.

The researchers also found much of this additional cost for treatment is not covered by Medicare, but is borne by the patients.

Specifically, patients paid approximately $16,000 in out-of-pocket costs for care in 2009, compared with $11,000 in 2000. Patients not treated with chemotherapy paid on average less than $5,000 in the 12 months following diagnosis.

"No one wants to give up. It's hard for anyone to say they've had enough," Bradley said. "However, in these situations palliative care may be a good option."