[Clinical Outcomes of Perioperative Treatment for Breast Cancer in Nonagenarians and Older Patients]

The incidence of breast cancer in nonagenarians and older patients has been increasing with the aging population. We retrospectively analyzed 9 patients aged ≥90 years who underwent breast cancer surgery at our institution between 2016 and 2024, examining patient characteristics, pathological factors, treatment modalities, complications, and postoperative outcomes. The median age was 92 years, with a median invasive tumor size of 18 mm(T2 or higher in 4 cases). All patients had comorbidities, with polypharmacy observed in 5 cases and dementia leading to difficulty in treatment decision-making in 4 cases. All surgeries were performed under general anesthesia. Although serious complications occurred in 3 patients, there was no significant prolongation of postoperative hospital stay. Adjuvant endocrine therapy was initiated in 6 patients but continued in only 4 cases. No patients received chemotherapy or radiotherapy. During the follow-up period, no recurrence or cancer-related deaths were observed. These findings suggest that with appropriate patient selection considering overall health status, functional assessment, and living environment, surgery can be performed relatively safely for nonagenarians with breast cancer. Postoperative management should involve individualized treatment decisions utilizing regional medical cooperation networks based on each patient's specific circumstances.