Breast irradiation in the older woman: a toxicity study.
OBJECTIVE
To establish the tolerance of breast irradiation by women aged 65 and older.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review.


METHODS
Women undergoing partial mastectomy and postoperative radiation therapy at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute between 1986 and 1990. Of 163 women eligible for the study, 100 were under age 65, and 63 were aged 65-78.


METHODS
Comparison of total treatment dose, treatment duration, number of treatment interruptions, incidence of cutaneous, mucosal, and hematological toxicity between women aged 65 and older and women younger than age 65.


RESULTS
All study measurements were comparable among younger and older women: total radiation dose (P = 0.5); treatment interruptions (P = 0.063); treatment duration (P = 0.78); cutaneous toxicity (P = 0.37); anemia (P = 0.83); leukopenia (P = 0.07), and thrombocytopenia (P = 0.94). There was no mucosal toxicity, nor higher than grade 2 hematological or cutaneous toxicity. The incidence and severity of toxicity was not higher for women aged 70 and older.


CONCLUSIONS
Postoperative breast irradiation is well tolerated by older women. Age is not a contraindication to breast preservation.
Wyckoff
J
J
Division of Medical Oncology, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa.
Greenberg
H
H
Sanderson
R
R
Wallach
P
P
Balducci
L
L
D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006410:Hematopoiesis / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012867:Skin / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013997:Time Factors