Trends in breast cancer presentation and care according to age in a single institution

This study sought to determine the differences in presentation and treatment of young women (< or =40 years of age) with breast cancer.

A prospective database was analyzed for differences in presentation and care in breast cancer patients < or =40 and >40 years of age.

The study group consisted of 1685 women. Younger women were more likely to present with a palpable mass, have estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor (ER/PR)-negative tumors, and have more advanced disease at presentation. Although there was no difference in breast conservation rates, younger women were more likely to have postmastectomy reconstruction. Younger women were more likely to receive chemotherapy, even with node-negative tumors less than 1 cm in diameter (37% vs. 13%, P = 0.01).

The presentation of younger women with breast cancer differs from that of older women. Although the surgical management is similar, adjuvant therapy differs, with younger women more likely to be treated with chemotherapy.