MANAGEMENT OF BREAST-CANCER IN THE ELDERLY

The management of breast cancer in elderly women was analysed by a ret rospective study of 150 women over 70 years old referred to our depart ment between 1984 and 1988. 80 were T1-T2, 33 were T3 and 34 were T4. 107 were NO and 43 were N1-N2. 16 women (11%) were in poor health, pre venting conventional treatment. Treatment choice varied with age: 60% of the women aged 70-79 (group 1) and 23% of the oldest women (group 2 ) were treated conventionally. The use of surgery decreased with age a nd surgical procedures were conventional in only 85% of the group 1 wo men and in 56% of the group 2 women. Definitive radiation therapy was used more frequently in the oldest women, as was primary hormone thera py. Quality of follow-up also varied with age. Five-year survival rate s were still high in both groups while relapses were frequent. Breast cancer was consequently a frequent cause of death. The increase in the proportion of elderly people with breast cancers over the next few ye ars will require validated guidelines. Specific protocols and specific rules of management must be drawn up.