Tamoxifen as the primary treatment in elderly patients with breast cancer

With the increasing incidence of breast cancer in patients over 70 years, there is interest in the best therapeutic approach.

To review the management of breast cancer in elderly women and to identify the factors involved in the decision to treat patients with tamoxifen as first line therapy.

Between 1986 and 1999, 302 female patients aged > or = 70 years presented with primary breast cancer, of whom 219 underwent surgery, 79 received tamoxifen as first line treatment and four received primary radiotherapy. A retrospective review was performed on these 79 patients and the outcome recorded.

Of these 79 patients, data was available on 68. Follow-up ranged from one to 63 months (median 17 months). Co-morbidity was the principal reason for choosing first line tamoxifen therapy in 61% and patient preference in 11%. Tumour size was less than 5cm in 51%. In 25% tumour size decreased, in 24% it remained stable and in 27% it increased in size following tamoxifen therapy. Additional treatment was prescribed for 33% of patients.

In the authors' experience, for those elderly patients suffering considerable co-morbidity or who refuse surgical intervention, tamoxifen is an acceptable alternative.