BREAST-CANCER IN ELDERLY WOMEN - PRESENTATION, SURVIVAL, AND TREATMENT OPTIONS

Recent data suggest that breast cancer in the elderly does not present as more advanced disease nor is survival inferior in comparison with younger women. Until recently, elderly women often have received subop timal treatment, particularly for early-stage disease. Elderly breast cancer patients who are in good general health, however; have outcomes to most treatment modalities, including surgery, radiation, and syste mic therapies, similar to those of younger women. For the frail or med ically unfit elderly woman, several treatment options are available fo r the control of local and systemic disease.