BACKGROUND: With the increasing incidence of breast cancer in patients over 70 years, there is interest in the best therapeutic approach. AIMS: To review the management of breast cancer in elderly women and to identify the factors involved in the decision to treat patients with tamoxifen as first line therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1986 and 1999, 302 female patients aged > or = 70 years presented with primary breast cancer, of whom 219 underwent surgery, 79 received tamoxifen as first line treatment and four received primary radiotherapy. A retrospective review was performed on these 79 patients and the outcome recorded. RESULTS: Of these 79 patients, data was available on 68. Follow-up ranged from one to 63 months (median 17 months). Co-morbidity was the principal reason for choosing first line tamoxifen therapy in 61% and patient preference in 11%. Tumour size was less than 5cm in 51%. In 25% tumour size decreased, in 24% it remained stable and in 27% it increased in size following tamoxifen therapy. Additional treatment was prescribed for 33% of patients. CONCLUSION: In the authors' experience, for those elderly patients suffering considerable co-morbidity or who refuse surgical intervention, tamoxifen is an acceptable alternative.
BACKGROUND: With the increasing incidence of breast cancer in patients over 70 years, there is interest in the best therapeutic approach. AIMS: To review the management of breast cancer in elderly women and to identify the factors involved in the decision to treat patients with tamoxifen as first line therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1986 and 1999, 302 female patients aged > or = 70 years presented with primary breast cancer, of whom 219 underwent surgery, 79 received tamoxifen as first line treatment and four received primary radiotherapy. A retrospective review was performed on these 79 patients and the outcome recorded. RESULTS: Of these 79 patients, data was available on 68. Follow-up ranged from one to 63 months (median 17 months). Co-morbidity was the principal reason for choosing first line tamoxifen therapy in 61% and patient preference in 11%. Tumour size was less than 5cm in 51%. In 25% tumour size decreased, in 24% it remained stable and in 27% it increased in size following tamoxifen therapy. Additional treatment was prescribed for 33% of patients. CONCLUSION: In the authors' experience, for those elderly patients suffering considerable co-morbidity or who refuse surgical intervention, tamoxifen is an acceptable alternative.
Authors: C J Wink; K Woensdregt; G A P Nieuwenhuijzen; M J C van der Sangen; S Hutschemaekers; J A Roukema; V C G Tjan-Heijnen; A C Voogd Journal: Ann Surg Oncol Date: 2011-10-27 Impact factor: 5.344