BACKGROUND: Breast cancer in a young person is considered by many to be a rare and very aggressive disease. Theories regarding the aggressiveness of the disease are varied. This study was undertaken in an attempt to help formulate guidelines regarding screening for and treatment of breast cancer in the young patient. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was undertaken of 81 breast cancer patients aged < or = 35 years who underwent definitive surgical treatment. All patients were treated at a single institution. RESULTS: Overall 5- and 10-year survival rates were 65% and 49%, respectively. In patients with disease localized to the breast, 5- and 10-year rates were 89% and 78%, respectively. There was no significant difference in survival with respect to age or date of diagnosis, nor was there a difference in cancer stage distribution. The only major determinant of survival was stage at the time of diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that young age does not seem to be directly related to the "aggressiveness" or "virulence" of breast cancer, especially among patients with localized disease. These results underscore the need for aggressive and early treatment of these patients. The improved survival with early detection is a valid argument for careful screening, even among very young patients.
BACKGROUND:Breast cancer in a young person is considered by many to be a rare and very aggressive disease. Theories regarding the aggressiveness of the disease are varied. This study was undertaken in an attempt to help formulate guidelines regarding screening for and treatment of breast cancer in the young patient. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was undertaken of 81 breast cancerpatients aged < or = 35 years who underwent definitive surgical treatment. All patients were treated at a single institution. RESULTS: Overall 5- and 10-year survival rates were 65% and 49%, respectively. In patients with disease localized to the breast, 5- and 10-year rates were 89% and 78%, respectively. There was no significant difference in survival with respect to age or date of diagnosis, nor was there a difference in cancer stage distribution. The only major determinant of survival was stage at the time of diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that young age does not seem to be directly related to the "aggressiveness" or "virulence" of breast cancer, especially among patients with localized disease. These results underscore the need for aggressive and early treatment of these patients. The improved survival with early detection is a valid argument for careful screening, even among very young patients.
Authors: S P Somashekhar; Gaurav Agarwal; S V S Deo; P Raghu Ram; Diptendra Sarkar; Vani Parmar Journal: Indian J Surg Date: 2017-06-22 Impact factor: 0.656
Authors: Itrat Mehdi; Essam Abdul Monem; Bassim Jaffar Al Bahrani; Suad Al Kharusi; Ayman Mohammad Nada; Jawad Al Lawati; Najla Al Lawati Journal: South Asian J Cancer Date: 2014-04
Authors: J Michael Dixon; Julia Grewar; Dominique Twelves; Ashley Graham; Carlos Martinez-Perez; Arran Turnbull Journal: Breast Cancer Res Treat Date: 2020-08-18 Impact factor: 4.872