ROLE OF AGE AS A PROGNOSTIC FACTOR IN BREAST-CANCER

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.