Update of the Phase III trial 'GRETA' of surgery and tamoxifen versus tamoxifen alone for early breast cancer in elderly women.
BACKGROUND
In the Phase III 'GRETA' trial 474 women aged ≥70 years with early breast cancer were randomly assigned to surgery plus tamoxifen for 5 years or tamoxifen alone for 5 years. This is a long-term update.


METHODS
Focusing on patients still alive in 2003, outcome end points has been recalculated.


RESULTS
Median distant metastases disease-free survival is longer with tamoxifen alone for 5 years; (48.8 vs 37.9 months; p = 0.009). No difference was found in distant metastases rate, disease-free survival, breast cancer and overall survival.


CONCLUSIONS
Primary endocrine treatment until the the best response, followed by minimal surgery and prosecution endocrine treatment for 5-10 years is a suitable option for elderly breast cancer patients. Delayed surgery does not prejudice overall survival.
Emeritus of Oncology, University of Trieste, Italy.
Giorgio
G
Mustacchi
Alberto
A
Scanni
Imma
I
Capasso
Antonio
A
Farris
Alfonso
A
Pluchinotta
Giulio
G
Isola
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D013629:Tamoxifen
breast cancer; elderly; primary tamoxifen