Age-related Disparity: Breast Cancer in the Elderly.
Aging poses an unique opportunity to study cancer biology and treatment in older adults. Breast cancer is often studied in young women; however, much investigation remains to be done on breast cancer in our expanding elderly population. Diagnostic and management strategies applicable to younger patients cannot be empirically used to manage older breast cancer patients. Lack of evidence-based data continues to be the major impediment toward delivery of personalized cancer care to elderly breast cancer patients. This article reviews the relevant literature on management of curable breast cancer in the elderly, the role of geriatric assessment, complex treatment decision making within the context of patient's expected life expectancy, comorbidities, physical function, socioeconomic status, barriers to health care delivery, goals of treatment, and therapy-related side effects. Continuing efforts for enrolling elderly breast cancer patients in contemporary clinical trials, and thus improving age-appropriate care, are emphasized.
Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, James Graham Brown Cancer Center, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.
Rahul
R
Gosain
Department of Internal Medicine, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
YaoYao
Y
Pollock
Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Multidisciplinary Breast Cancer Program, James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA. d0jain01@louisville.edu.
Dharamvir
D
Jain
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D019468:Disease Management; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D011788:Quality of Life
Adjuvant therapy; Age; Aromatase inhibitor; Breast cancer; Chemotherapy; Comorbidities; Elderly; Endocrine therapy; Geriatric assessment; Lumpectomy; Neoadjuvant; Older; Quality of life; Radiation therapy; Supportive care; Surgery; Trastuzumab; Women