Treatment outcomes for female octogenarians with breast cancer

Scant information is available comparing the treatment outcomes of minor su rgery (lumpectomy) versus extensive treatment (radical and simple mastectom y or lumpectomy and radiation) in octogenarians with breast cancer. Medical records of women (ages 80-89) who received treatment for breast cancer fro m 1984 through 1994 were reviewed. All patients were stage T-1 or T-2, and none had palpable lymph nodes. The recurrence rate, disease-free interval, and death rate for both groups were compared. Of the 41 patients representi ng 43 minor surgeries, 12 per tent (5 of 41) of patients developed recurren ce, all of which were related to the primary breast tumor. The mean disease -free interval was 28.6 +/- 24.7 months (range, 6-65). Forty-six per cent ( 18 of 39) of patients died, 10 per cent (4 of 39) from recurrence and metas tatic disease from breast cancer and 36 per cent (14 of 39) from other caus es. Of those who underwent extensive treatment, 14.6 per cent (7 of 48) of patients experienced recurrence, all related to the primary breast tumor. T he mean disease-free interval was 24.0 +/- 21.9 months (range, 2-71). Forty -eight per cent (23 of 48) of patients died, 10 per cent (5 of 48) from rec urrence and metastatic disease from breast cancer and 37 per cent (18 of 48 ) from other causes. None of the differences between the minor surgery vers us extensive treatment groups were statistically significant. The recurrenc e rate, disease-free interval, and death rate from recurrent disease are si milar for patients undergoing minor surgery compared with those undergoing extensive treatment.