Age and the Risk of Breast Cancer Recurrence

BACKGROUND: Various parameters assist in the definition of prognosis and in the choice of therapy for breast cancer. This study evaluates the effects of prognostic factors on disease outcome in elderly women. METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis was performed on 1,267 consecutive patients with locoregional breast cancer, including 374 patients 65 years of age or older, who were referred to a university cancer center over an eight-year period. Information on prognostic factors, disease outcome, and survival was analyzed. RESULTS: Women 65 years of age or older were more likely to have early-stage cancers, lower histologic grade, higher hormone receptor levels, and lower S-phase fractions. They experienced a longer time to disease recurrence and overall longer survival than their younger counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: Advancing age should not be considered an unfavorable risk factor for breast cancer. Prognosis and treatment should be based on disease stage and histologic and biologic parameters rather than patient age.