Surgical management of breast cancer in the elderly patient

Background: Breast cancer in the older woman is a major health issue and therapeutic challenge. This study asked if presentation, surgical treatment, and outcome of breast cancer are different in elderly women compared with their younger counterparts. Methods: There were 816 women <70 years (younger) and 190 ≥70 years (older) treated surgically for breast carcinoma between January 1992 and April 2000. Data for younger and older patients was analyzed from our prospective database. Results: More older women had mammographic lesions (P <0.006). Breast conservation was the treatment of choice for both groups. Stage, tumor size, histology and disease-specific survival were similar for both. There was no evidence of disease in 93% of cases in the <70 years group at median follow-up of 38.4 months and 91% for the ≥70 years group at 44.5 months. Conclusions: In our population the presentation, surgical treatment, and survival from breast cancer is similar in older and younger women.