Results of Adjuvant Treatment in Breast Cancer Women Aged More than 70: Italian Cooperative Group Experience

Breast conserving treatment (BCT) for stage I–II breast cancer in elderly women: Analysis of 927 cases

“…In western countries, about 15% of the population is older than 70 [1,2]. In two large national surveys performed in France (1155 patients) and Italy (3532 patients) in 2001-2002 [3,4], breast cancer (BC) rates in women older than 70 were 20.4% and 18.5%, respectively.…”

Breast cancer in the elderly: the role of adjuvant radiation therapy

“…Differences in overall survival were reported not even for primary Tam alone [78,83] versus surgery or Tam plus surgery.…”

“…In the 2001 update, the results of the trial [81], show that omission of primary surgery for operable BC in elderly patients-otherwise fit for the procedure-resulted in earlier progression, earlier therapeutic interventions (shorter progression-free and change-of-management-free interval), increased overall mortality and mortality from BC. In a multicenter phase III trial the Italian Group for Research in Endocrine Therapy in the Aged (GRETA) [82][83][84] 474 patients aged over 70 with operable breast cancer were randomly allocated to receive either Tam alone (a loading dose of 160 mg the first day, then 20 mg daily for 5 years) or surgery followed by Tam. Preliminary estrogen receptor content was not required.…”

Conservative management of breast cancer in the elderly in a developing country

“…Tamoxifen has also been evaluated as sole treatment of breast cancer in the elderly and earlier studies suggested that tamoxifen alone is sufficient treatment [ 38 - 40 ]. Recent meta – analysis however shows that breast cancer specific survival and progression-free survival is worse in women treated with tamoxifen alone [ 41 - 45 ]. We support the notion that tamoxifen alone is inadequate therapy that should be reserved for very frail patients.…”