title: Special considerations when treating breast cancer in the elderly.
abstract: The growing aging population of the U.S. will lead to an absolute and proportional increase in elderly women with breast cancer. While the underlying biologic characteristics of the disease will not likely change, the health status and life expectancy of the patients will improve. Our decisions regarding therapy must take into account not just the disease we are treating, but the characteristics of the host as well.
authors.affiliation: Comprehensive Breast Care Center, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Schnaper
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Hughes