Breast cancer treatment in high-risk elderly patients: A challenging situation and difficult decisions.
To assess whether high-risk elderly patients with aggressive tumour biology can be offered standard treatment despite having multiple comorbid conditions.



This retrospective study was conducted at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore, Pakistan, and comprised data of breast cancer patients aged 65 years or above treated between 2006 and 2012,. Data was collected regarding patients' demographics, baseline clinical characteristics, comorbidities, treatment and outcomes. Stata 12 was used for data analysis.



Of the 407 patients in the study, 399(98%) were women and 8(2%) were men. The overall mean age at diagnosis was 70±4.9 years (range: 65-90 years). Overall, 59(14.5%) participants had family history of breast cancer. Bilateral disease was seen in 17(4.2%). Invasive ductal carcinoma was seen in 299(73.5%). Besides, 101(24.8%) patients had no comorbid conditions, while 138(34%) had one, 102(25%) had two and 66(16%) had three or more comorbid conditions. There was no statistically significant difference between those receiving standard treatment including surgery or other modalities.



Elderly patients of breast cancer may be offered treatment according to the tumour biology and their overall functional status.
Department of Surgical Oncology, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Lahore, Pakistan.
Razia
R
Bano
Department of Surgical Oncology, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Lahore, Pakistan.
Amina Iqbal
AI
Khan
Department of Cancer Registry & Data Management, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Lahore, Pakistan.
Waleed
W
Zafar
Department of Surgical Oncology, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Lahore, Pakistan.
Akif Abbas
AA
Zaidi
Department of Surgical Oncology, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Lahore, Pakistan.
Adil Asif
AA
Zaidi
Department of Surgical Oncology, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Lahore, Pakistan.
Mohammad Zulrqurnain
MZ
Chaudhry
Department of Surgical Oncology, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Lahore, Pakistan.
Huma Majeed
HM
Khan
D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D018567:Breast Neoplasms, Male / Q000628:therapy; D002173:Cancer Care Facilities; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010154:Pakistan; D012189:Retrospective Studies
Elderly, Comorbids, Standard treatment, Chemotherapy.