Surgical management of breast cancer in the elderly patient.
BACKGROUND
Breast cancer in the older woman is a major health issue and therapeutic challenge. This study asked if presentation, surgical treatment, and outcome of breast cancer are different in elderly women compared with their younger counterparts.


METHODS
There were 816 women < 70 years (younger) and 190 > or = 70 years (older) treated surgically for breast carcinoma between January 1992 and April 2000. Data for younger and older patients was analyzed from our prospective database.


RESULTS
More older women had mammographic lesions (P < 0.006). Breast conservation was the treatment of choice for both groups. Stage, tumor size, histology and disease-specific survival were similar for both. There was no evidence of disease in 93% of cases in the < 70 years group at median follow-up of 38.4 months and 91% for the > or = 70 years group at 44.5 months.


CONCLUSIONS
In our population the presentation, surgical treatment, and survival from breast cancer is similar in older and younger women.
Grube
B J
BJ
Joyce Eisenberg Keefer Breast Center, John Wayne Cancer Institute at Saint John's Health Center, 2200 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404, USA.
Hansen
N M
NM
Ye
W
W
Herlong
T
T
Giuliano
A E
AE
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome