Adjuvant systemic therapy for elderly women with breast cancer

Although breast cancer is increasing in incidence, mortality from the disease is decreasing due to better treatment options. As the population ages, more women are being diagnosed with breast cancer at increasingly older ages. Tumors in elderly women tend to be more indolent than those in younger women, and physicians are sometimes reluctant to treat this cohort of patients simply because of their age. It is important for both primary care physicians and oncologists to be aware of breast cancer characteristics and treatments in the elderly in order to better serve this segment of the population. This review will discuss the benefits of both adjuvant chemotherapy and hormonal therapy in women with early stage breast cancer, with specific emphasis on the special attributes of elderly patients that should be considered when devising treatment plans.