Introduction. In Poland, as the model of other EU countries, the first maps of health needs in oncology were prepared by the Ministry of Health. Despite extensive expert criticism, they provide an introduction to rational decision-making in health care management. The study presents its own set of data obtained during an analytical study on oncological treatment in the Upper Silesia region with particular attention to the migration of patients between the voivodships. Aim. The aim of the study was to analyze the flow of funds between voivodships in oncology treatment paid by the branches of the National Health Fund. Material and methods. Presented data were obtained from Silesian branch of the National Health Fund. The scope of the study concerned in years 2011 and 2012 in connection with diagnosis of cancer. All operations on the obtained data as well as statistical analysis were conducted on the basis of Microsoft Access 2010 and SAS statistical package. The graphical presentation and maps were made by the ArcGIS geographic information system from the GADM database. Results. Most of the costs of services in oncology were spent by the Silesian branch of the National Health Fund for the patients living in the voivodship. Nevertheless, financially significant part of the procedures were performed for patients from neighboring voivodships. Between the analyzed periods there was also a heterogeneous distribution of expenditures due to their growth in selected areas. Conclusions. It should be noted that the hospitals of the Silesian Region dealing with oncological treatment mainly serve patients on a regional level. The availability of medical procedures is conditioned by the distance from the patient’s place of residence to the hospital location. Creating future maps of health needs in oncology, attention should be paid to the migration between administrative units and correlate them with financial resources.

Key words: health needs maps, oncology, financing of health care.