Patients with high-risk breast cancer may benefit from dose-escalated chemotherapy. The rationale for high-dose chemotherapy with stem-cell rescue (HDC-SCR) in breast cancer is based on the principles of dose response and dose intensity. However, several results of properly randomized and prospective studies are necessary to determine the interest of HDC-SCR. The objective of this study, realised in the Anticancer Center of Montpellier, was to evaluate the cost of this type of transplantation. In this retrospective study, we analysed 30 patients treated for an advanced breast cancer between October 1995 and June 1998. We collected the data from the induction chemotherapy cycle (followed by cytapheresis) to the end of the hospitalisation for autograft. The mean total cost was US$25845 per patient: US$6453 for drugs, US$4720 for transfusions, US$1865 for laboratory services and blood tests, US$5585 for staff pay, US$774 for material, US$1211 for administration cost, US$1111 for logistic cost, US$998 for structure cost and US$1578 for other. Antibiotics, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, chemotherapy, transfusions and nutrition represent respectively 18% (US$1962), 14% (US$1590), 13% (US$1437), 42% (US$4720), 11% (US$1191) of the medication and blood products cost. The results of this study may help in identifying targets for cost reduction.

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