Causes for the undertreatment of elderly breast cancer patients: tailoring treatments to individual patients.

BACKGROUND: Ageism has been suggested as a cause for the undertreatment of elderly breast cancer patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the rate and causes of elderly patients not receiving standard therapy. STUDY
DESIGN: A random sample of 500 patients was reviewed for age, cancer stage, surgical, radiation, cytotoxic or hormonal chemotherapy, number and type of comorbidities, type of therapeutic deficiencies, and their causes.
RESULTS: The average age was 59.9+/-13.6 years. Of the patients less than 65 years old, 6.0% did not receive standard treatment, compared with 22.2% of patients 65 years or older. Treatment omitted in the less than 65-year-old group: 16.7%, no tumor extirpation; 38.9%, no axillary dissection; 33.3%, no radiation therapy; and 33.3% no chemotherapy. Treatment omitted in the 65-year and older group: 11.4%, no tumor extirpation; 39.1%, no axillary dissection; 47.7%, no radiation therapy; and 18.2%, no chemotherapy. Causes in the less than 65-year-old group were: prohibitive associated medical conditions, 27.8%; favorable primary tumor pathology, 16.7%; and patient treatment refusal, 55.6%. Causes in the 65-year and older group were: prohibitive associated medical conditions, 40.9%; favorable tumor pathology, 13.6%; patient treatment refusal, 31.8%; and unexplainable, 13.6%. The median number of concomitant medical conditions in patients receiving standard therapy was one compared with three in the undertreated patients from prohibitive associated medical conditions or unexplained causes.
CONCLUSION: Population-based studies of breast cancer treatment do not adequately assess the complex decision making associated with breast cancer in the elderly. Patients do not receive standard care for specific reasons.