Treatment pathways in breast cancer in Poland — a retrospective observational study in the data donation model

Introduction. Understanding real-world breast cancer treatment patterns is crucial for optimizing patient care. This retrospective study analyzed treatment strategies and outcomes in a Polish cohort. Material and methods. Data from 587 breast cancer patients (diagnosed ≥ 2018) were obtained via the Donate Your Data Foundation ( Fundacja Podaruj Dane ) (March 2023–June 2024). Anonymized medical records from oncology centers in the Lodz Voivodeship were analyzed, considering center size, disease stage (TNM), and therapies (surgery, chemo, hormone therapy, radio, targeted therapy-drug program). Results. Most patients were treated in small entities, managing mainly stage I–IIIA cancers. Initial outpatient treatment often involved hormone therapy, while hospital-based care included surgery/chemotherapy. Neoadjuvant treatment prioritized chemotherapy. Adjuvant therapy used hormone therapy and radiotherapy frequently. Breast-conserving surgery (BCT) was the most common initial surgery, especially in early stages and hormone receptor positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2–) patients. Standard chemotherapies included cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and paclitaxel. Letrozole and tamoxifen were prevalent in adjuvant hormone therapy. The national drug program for targeted therapies was significantly utilized in neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings. Most patients experienced stable disease based on TNM dynamics. Conclusions. This study provides insights into breast cancer treatment in the Lodz Voivodeship, highlighting diverse strategies across stages and center sizes. Chemotherapy played a significant role across treatment lines, BCT was common in early stages, and targeted therapies were integrated via a national drug program. Further research should explore treatment pattern variations and optimize advanced therapy utilization in the Polish healthcare system.