The Comparision of Breast Cancer in the Young and Elderly Patients

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To compare the tumor characteristics, treatment approaches, recurrence patterns and survival results rates of young and elderly patients with breast cancer. METHODS In this study, Between between 2000-2013, a total of 779 patients were treated for breast cancer at nine radiation oncology departments were evaluated retrospectively. Three-hundred eight four of these patients were young (<= 35 years), and 395 of those the patients were elderly (>= 70 years). RESULTS Young patients were more likely to present with aggressive tumor features. They were more often received comprehensive lymphatic irradiation, tumor bed boost and intense chemotherapy. No difference was found for 5 and 10-year loco-regional recurrence- free survival rates were (96% and 93% for young, 97% and 97% for elderly). The 5 and 10-year distant recurrence- free survival rates were lower in the young patients (77% and 67% for young, 85% and 85% for elderly, p<0.0001). No difference was found in 5 and 10-year breast cancer- specific survival (91% and 79% for young, 92% and 87% for elderly). The 5 and 10-year overall survival rates were higher in the young patients (92% and 78% for young, 78% and 63% for elderly, p<0.0001). CONCLUSION The reason for the similarity between the age groups in terms ofregarding loco-regional recurrence- free survival can be more comprehensive lymphatic irradiation and tumor bed boost, the young patients received. The distant recurrence- free survival rates rates were significantly lower in the young patients even though they received more intensive chemotherapy. Future studies aimed at more effective systemic regimens to decrease distant recurrence in young patients are warranted.