OBJECTIVES: While breast cancer has a high incidence world-wide, there is limited data on treatment costs to help decision-makers establish the cost-effectiveness of new treatments. This study's objective was to determine treatment costs of BC stages for postmenopausal BC patients in Hungary. METHODS: BC-specific resource use items were collected retrospectively on three cohorts: early breast cancer (EBC), local regional recurrence (LRR) and metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients. Data was obtained from National Health Insurance Fund claims databases on inpatients, outpatients and pharmaceuticals. Cohorts were determined using ICD, WHO, ATC, TNM and procedure codes. Age>55 served as proxy for postmenopausal status. The first 100 relevant patients at each stage entering the Oncology Report database in 2003 were included and followed for 1 year. Average annual patient costs with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were established using Hungarian national fee schedules and reported in euros. RESULTS: The final cohort included 87 patients with incident EBC, 79 patients with LRR, and 99 patients receiving active or palliative care for MBC. The frequency of diagnostic and surgical procedures, consultant visits and prescriptions were summarized in natural units. Average (95%CI) outpatient, inpatient and drug cost/patient for EBC patients were estimated to be €1000 (780-1260), €1060 (800-1300) and €2470 (2100-2840) respectively. For LRR patients the corresponding figures were €274 (214-330), €2056 (1470-2600) and €2160 (1600-2700). In MBC values averaged €260 (210-310), €1150 (850-1550) and €3470 (2800-4150) respectively. Drug costs represented 23%, 40% and 29% of total treatment costs/patient in EBC, LRR and MBC. Costs were highest in MBC. CONCLUSIONS: Inpatient costs represent the highest proportion of costs, followed closely by drug costs, possibly due to relatively low labour costs in Central Europe. These estimates and underlying treatment patterns will be useful in establishing the cost-effectiveness of new BC treatments in Hungary and potentially in the region.