The effect of age on the prognosis of breast cancer remains controvers
ial. To investigate the role of age, we reviewed 316 patients with sta
ge I or II breast cancer. There were 14 patients below 34, 146 between
35 and 49, 115 between 50 and 65, and 41 over 66 years of age. No cor
relations were observed between age and clinicopathological variables.
Breast cancer patients aged 34 or less had a significantly worse surv
ival compared to those in the older age groups. Multivariate analysis
also showed younger age to be a significant factor, followed by lymph
node status. Therefore, younger age at onset is considered to be an in
dependent prognostic factor.