Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 50 9 2021 09 02 1887 1896 Mina Nejati The Cancer Institute at Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Moaven Razavi The Schneider Institutes for Health Policy at the Heller School of Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, USA Iraj Harirchi The Cancer Institute at Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Marzieh Zanganeh Deputy of Medical Affairs, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran Gholamreza Salari Iran Small Businesses and Industrial Parks Organization, Qazvin, Iran Seyed Mosa Tabatabaee Deputy of Medical Affairs, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran 2019 09 19 2020 02 05 Background: To estimate the resource use and costs associated to the initial phase of treatment for colorectal cancer in Iran. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted using routinely collected data within Electronic Health Records System (SEPAS), a national database representing public hospitals in Iran between March 20, 2016 and March 19, 2017. Primary end points included healthcare resource use, direct medical and non-medical costs of care in the 12-month study period. Results: The study population included 657 patients with colorectal cancer who underwent surgery and the follow-up chemotherapy. We estimated a total direct cost of $21,407 per patient. The results indicated that direct medical costs were primarily driven by inpatient hospital care, followed by surgery, chemotherapy, and diagnostic services. Conclusion: The initial 12-month of treatment for colorectal cancer, including surgery and the follow-up chemotherapy, is resource intensive. The total direct costs associated to the disease are remarkable, with Inpatient hospital services being the main contributor followed by surgery and chemotherapy. https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/18401 https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/download/18401/7356