Preoperative chemotherapy is beneficial for geriatric patients with locally advanced and metastatic breast cancer.
The relationship between aging and drug toxicity has been documented. We reviewed patients with Stage IIIB and Stage IV breast cancer with the primary tumor intact at presentation to compare the toxicity secondary to chemotherapy, the disease-free survival, and the survival in both young and elderly women. Fifty-three patients were studied. All received preoperative chemotherapy and mastectomy as part of treatment for breast cancer. Sixty years was used arbitrarily to divide the patients into two groups. Data were analyzed by unpaired T-test. Hematologic, nutritional, infectious, and cardiac toxicities were noted and compared between groups. Disease-free survival was studied in patients with Stage IIIB disease. Survival was examined in patients with Stage IIIB and Stage IV disease. We could not detect any statistically significant differences between young and elderly patients in any of these groups. The elderly patients in this study seemed to derive as much benefit from chemotherapy as did younger patients.
Morris
D M
DM
Univ of New Mexico, Albuquerque.
Gross
D C
DC
Edwards
J
J
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008408:Mastectomy; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011292:Premedication; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D005472:Fluorouracil; D008727:Methotrexate