Breast carcinoma in elderly women. Our experience.

PURPOSE To analyze the biological features of breast cancer in women aged more than 70 years and to evaluate the utility of complete breast examination in elderly patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS In the period between January 2000 and March 2009, 147.189 women aged more than 39 years underwent breast examination. In 1.527 diagnosis of breast carcinoma was made. Patients affected by breast carcinoma were subdivided into two groups basing on age (< 70 and ≥ 70 years). The two groups were compared for tumor size on imaging studies, histology, pT stage, grading and the presence of estrogen and progesterone receptors. RESULTS In comparison with younger women, breast carcinoma in elderly presented as invasive ductal form in most of cases (p 0.004), T1 and T2 stages (p 0.0001), G1 grade (p 0.0001) and positive for the presence of estrogen and progesterone receptors (p <0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Basing on the incidence rate and the biological features of breast cancer in elderly women without co-morbility, breast cancer prevention in women is considered useful until the age of 74 years.

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