Breast Cancer After Age 80: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Outcomes

Compared with younger women, those who were 80 and older were treated less aggressively despite having similar disease characteristics.

Breast cancer is relatively common in women aged 80 and older (who represent the fastest-growing U.S. population segment), but we have insufficient data on breast cancer evaluation and treatment in our oldest patients. Investigators analyzed 1992–2003 Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) data from women aged 67 and older with newly diagnosed stage I (28,897 women) or II (16,582) breast cancer. Women were stratified into six age groups and were followed for a median of 5.6 years.

Tumor size rose with age; however, tumor grade, histology, and hormone-receptor status were similar across age groups. The proportion of women who underwent breast-conserving surgery without radiation therapy increased with age, particularly after 80. Am…

Reviewing Author

Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Grant/Research SupportMerck, Mithra, Medicines360

Editorial BoardsContraception; Menopause; Contraceptive Technology Update; OBG Management; Medscape OB/GYN & Women’s Health

Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Grant/Research SupportMerck, Mithra, Medicines360

Editorial BoardsContraception; Menopause; Contraceptive Technology Update; OBG Management; Medscape OB/GYN & Women’s Health

Breast Cancer After Age 80: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Outcomes

Topics

Reviewing Author