title: Approach and Management of Breast Cancer in the Elderly.
abstract: Breast cancer is the mostly commonly diagnosed cancer in women both in the United States and worldwide. Although advanced age at diagnosis is associated with more favorable tumor biology, mortality rates are comparatively higher in older adults, possibly attributed to advanced stage at presentation. There are minimal specific treatment-based guidelines in elderly patients with cancer, mostly attributable to their limited inclusion on clinical trials. In addition to the existing evidence from clinical trials and retrospective studies, practitioners need to take into consideration functional status, social support, patient preference, presence of comorbidities, and life expectancy when selecting optimal treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Breast Medical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 1354, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Meghan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karuturi
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Tennessee West Cancer Center, 1265 Union Avenue, Thomas Basement, Memphis, TN 38104, USA.
authors.forename: Noam
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: VanderWalde
authors.affiliation: Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA. Electronic address: hyman_muss@med.unc.edu.
authors.forename: Hyman
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Muss
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D015897:Comorbidity; D019468:Disease Management; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D057240:Patient Preference; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support
keywords: Adjuvant chemotherapy; Adjuvant radiation; Axillary staging; Curative surgery; Endocrine therapy; Palliative chemotherapy