Browsing by Author "Armbruster, Shannon D."

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Dysgerminoma Masquerading as Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia
    Blackwell, Conner; McLeish, Shian; Iglesias, David; Armbruster, Shannon D. (Hindawi, 2023-02-08)
    Background: Persistent elevation in beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) following a pregnancy is concerning for gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). However, the differential diagnosis should remain broad during the evaluation process. Case: A 34-year-old G3P3 presented with elevated β-hCG four months after cesarean delivery with bilateral tubal ligation. The patient was treated with methotrexate for a presumed new ectopic pregnancy. Due to persistent β-hCG elevation, she received actinomycin-D for GTN treatment. After completing chemotherapy, her β-hCG increased. The patient underwent a laparoscopic hysterectomy with unplanned left oophorectomy due to its nodular appearance at the time of surgery. Pathology confirmed a dysgerminoma of the ovary and benign uterus. Conclusion: Although dysgerminomas are uncommon, they should be considered when β-hCG levels remain elevated despite therapies for more common pathologies.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Reallocating Cervical Cancer Preventive Service Spending from Low- to High-Value Clinical Scenarios
    Rockwell, Michelle S.; Armbruster, Shannon D.; Capucao, Jillian C.; Russell, Kyle B.; Rockwell, John A.; Perkins, Karen E.; Huffstetler, Alison N.; Mafi, John N.; Fendrick, A. Mark (American Association for Cancer Research, 2023-07-05)
    Timely follow-up care after an abnormal cervical cancer screening test result is critical to the prevention and early diagnosis of cervical cancer. The current inadequate and inequitable delivery of these potentially life-saving services is attributed to several factors, including patient out-of-pocket costs. Waiving of consumer cost-sharing for follow-up testing (e.g., colposcopy and related cervical services) is likely to improve access and uptake, especially among underserved populations. One approach to defray the incremental costs of providing more generous coverage for follow-up testing is reducing expenditures on "low-value" cervical cancer screening services. To explore the potential fiscal implications of a policy that redirects cervical cancer screening resources from potentially low- to high-value clinical scenarios, we analyzed 2019 claims from the Virginia All-Payer Claims Database to quantify (i) total spending on low-value cervical cancer screening and (ii) out-of-pocket costs associated with colposcopy and related cervical services among commercially insured Virginians. In a cohort of 1,806,921 female patients (ages 48.1 ± 24.8 years), 295,193 claims for cervical cancer screening were reported, 100,567 (34.0%) of which were determined to be low-value ($4,394,361 total; $4,172,777 for payers and $221,584 out-of-pocket [$2/patient]). Claims for 52,369 colposcopy and related cervical services were reported ($40,994,016 total; $33,457,518 for payers and $7,536,498 out-of-pocket [$144/patient]). These findings suggest that reallocating savings incurred from unnecessary spending to fund more generous coverage of necessary follow-up care is a feasible approach to enhancing cervical cancer prevention equity and outcomes. PREVENTION RELEVANCE: Out-of-pocket fees are a barrier to follow-up care after an abnormal cervical cancer screening test. Among commercially insured Virginians, out-of-pocket costs for follow-up services averaged $144/patient; 34% of cervical cancer screenings were classified as low value. Reallocating low-value cervical cancer screening expenditures to enhance coverage for follow-up care can improve screening outcomes. See related Spotlight, p. 363.