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Palumbo I, Borghesi S, Gregucci F, Falivene S, Fontana A, Aristei C, Ciabattoni A. Omission of adjuvant radiotherapy for older adults with early-stage breast cancer particularly in the COVID era: A literature review (on the behalf of Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology). J Geriatr Oncol 2021; 12:1130-1135. [PMID: 34020908 PMCID: PMC8131185 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgo.2021.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
This review is aimed at evaluating whether radiation therapy (RT) can be omitted in older adult early-stage low-risk breast cancer (BC) patients. The published data are particularly relevant at present, during the COVID-19 pandemic emergency, to define a treatment strategy and to prioritize essential therapy. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and PubMED were systematically researched from outset through April 2020 using Mesh terms. Only randomized controlled trials (RCT), with one arm without adjuvant whole-breast irradiation (WBI), were included in the analysis. Recent literature regarding the COVID pandemic and BC RT was assessed. The reported RCTs identified a group of BC patients (pT1-2N0M0 R0, grade 1-2, estrogen receptor (ER) positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) negative tumours) in which the absolute risk of local recurrence (LR) was considered low enough to omit RT. The most common risk factors were tumor diameter, nodal and receptor status. Adjuvant RT had a significant impact on LR but not on distant metastasis (DM) or death. During the COVID 19 pandemic, results from RTCs were re-considered to define treatment recommendations for BC patients. International scientific societies and radiation oncology experts suggested RT omission, whenever possible, in older adult early-stage BC patients. Adjuvant RT might be omitted in a highly selected group of older adult early-stage BC patients with favourable prognostic factors. Hypofractionated regimens should be the standard. RT omission, partial breast irradiation (PBI), and ultra- hypofractionated regimens could be considered in selected cases due to the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Palumbo
- Radiation Oncology Section, University of Perugia and Perugia General Hospital, Perugia, Italy
| | - Simona Borghesi
- Radiation Oncology Department, Arezzo-Valdarno, Azienda USL Toscana Sud Est, Arezzo, Italy
| | - Fabiana Gregucci
- Radiation Oncology Division, Miulli-Felli Hospital, Acquaviva delle Fonti, Bari, Italy
| | - Sara Falivene
- Radiation Oncology Division, Ospedale del Mare, Asl Napoli 1 centro, Napoli, Italy
| | - Antonella Fontana
- Radiation Oncology Division, Santa Maria Goretti Hospital, Latina, Italy
| | - Cynthia Aristei
- Radiation Oncology Section, University of Perugia and Perugia General Hospital, Perugia, Italy,Corresponding author at: Radiation Oncology Section, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia General Hospital, Sant'Andrea delle Fratte, 06156 Perugia, Italy
| | - Antonella Ciabattoni
- Radiation Oncology Division, San Filippo Neri, Hospital, ASL Roma 1, Roma, Italy
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Clark RA, Marin TS, Berry NM, Atherton JJ, Foote JW, Koczwara B. Cardiotoxicity and cardiovascular disease risk assessment for patients receiving breast cancer treatment. CARDIO-ONCOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2017; 3:6. [PMID: 32154001 PMCID: PMC7048103 DOI: 10.1186/s40959-017-0025-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiotoxicity from anticancer therapy affects heart function and structure. Cardiotoxicity can also lead to accelerated development of chronic diseases, especially in the presence of risk factors. METHODS This study aimed to develop and pilot a combined cardiovascular disease and cardiotoxicity risk assessment questionnaire to quantify the potential extent of risk factors in breast cancer patients prior to treatment. The questionnaire underwent content and face validity evaluation by an expert panel followed by pilot testing in a sample of breast cancer patients (n = 36). Questionnaires were self-administered while attending chemotherapy clinic, in the presence of a research assistant. RESULTS Mean age of participants was 54.8 years (range 36-72 years). Participants reported CVD risk factors including diabetes 2.8%, hypertension 19.8%, hypercholesterolaemia 11% and sleep apnoea 5%. Lifestyle risk factors, included not eating the recommended serves of vegetables (100%) or fruit (78%) per day; smoking (13%) and regularly consuming alcohol (75%). Twenty five percent reported being physically inactive, 61%, overweight or obese, 24%, little or no social support and 30% recorded high to very high psychological distress. Participants were highly (75%) reluctant to undertake lifestyle changes; i.e. changing alcohol consumption; dietary habits; good emotional/mental health strategies; improving physical activity; quitting smoking; learning about heart-health and weight loss. CONCLUSION This study is an important step towards prevention and management of treatment-associated cardiotoxicity after breast cancer diagnosis. We recommend that our questionnaire is providing important data that should be included in cancer registries so that researchers can establish the relationship between CVD risk profile and cardiotoxicity outcomes and that this study revealed important teaching opportunities that could be used to examine the impact on health literacy and help patients better understand the consequences of cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn A. Clark
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA Australia
| | - Tania S. Marin
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA Australia
| | - Narelle M. Berry
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, James Watson Road, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UQ UK
| | - John J. Atherton
- Head Cardiology Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, University of Queensland School of Medicine, Butterfield St & Bowen Bridge Rd, Herston, St Lucia, QLD Australia
| | - Jonathon W. Foote
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA Australia
| | - Bogda Koczwara
- Department of Medical Oncology, Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, Flinders University, Flinders Drive, Bedford Park, SA 5042 Australia
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Dall P, Lenzen G, Göhler T, Lerchenmüller C, Feisel-Schwickardi G, Koch T, Eggert J, Heilmann V, Schindler C, Wilke J, Tesch H, Selbach J, Wohlfarth T, Eustermann H, Hinke A. Trastuzumab in the treatment of elderly patients with early breast cancer: Results from an observational study in Germany. J Geriatr Oncol 2015; 6:462-9. [PMID: 26341962 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgo.2015.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2014] [Revised: 05/08/2015] [Accepted: 06/22/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In elderly patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, few data on efficacy and toxicity of adjuvant trastuzumab treatment exists since older patients were in general excluded from large randomized studies. This prospective observational study aimed to confirm the beneficial findings from pivotal trials in age cohorts ≥65 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS There were no restrictions for recruitment with respect to age or concomitant/sequential adjuvant medication. Long-term relapse/survival status of the patients was assessed once a year. RESULTS Among the 3940 evaluable patients enrolled between 2006 and 2012 at 339 institutions, 507 were aged between 65 and 69 years, with another 507 patients ≥70 years. Elderly patients suffered from significantly more advanced primary tumors. Preceding or concomitant chemotherapy showed decreasing aggressiveness with patient's age. Trastuzumab treatment was stopped prematurely in only 11% of the elderly, but more often than in younger patients (p=0.0008). With 453 events hitherto reported, elderly patients did not exhibit an inferior relapse-free survival when adjusted for other relevant prognostic factors (hazard ratio: 1.01 per year; p=0.24). Three-year overall survival was significantly lower in the population older than 64 years than in younger patients (94.2% vs. 96.8%, p=0.0011). CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, our population of elderly patients treated with adjuvant trastuzumab is the largest analyzed so far. The beneficial long-term results were comparable to those in the younger cohorts. Although the risk of cardiotoxicity increased significantly with age, it also remained manageable in older patients. Thus, chronological age alone should not preclude HER2 antibody treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Dall
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Breast Cancer Center, Klinikum Lüneburg, Lüneburg, Germany.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Axel Hinke
- WiSP Research Institute, Langenfeld, Germany
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Oran ES, Yankol Y, Soybir GR, Karsidag T, Sakalli O, Gecgel U, Soybir OC, Soran A. Distinct postsurgical management in young and elderly breast cancer patients results in equal survival rates. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2015; 15:7843-7. [PMID: 25292075 DOI: 10.7314/apjcp.2014.15.18.7843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common malignant diseases in women, the majority of the studies describing the characteristics of BC in elderly patients have been limited to survival assessments or tumor features, without using younger BC patients as a reference group. The aim of our study was to describe and compare tumor characteristics and management patterns in elderly versus younger breast cancer patients in Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 152 patients with invasive breast cancer who underwent surgery in our institution between 2002 and 2012. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to age at the time of diagnosis. RESULTS There were 62 patients in the elderly group (≥65 years) and 90 patients in the younger group (<65 years). Compared to the younger group, tumors in the elderly group were more likely to be larger (p=0.018), of lower grade (p=0.005), and hormone receptor-positive (p>0.001). There were no significant differences regarding histology, localization, lymph node involvement, or types of surgical procedures between the 2 groups. Comorbidities were more common in elderly patients (p<0.001). In addition, elderly patients were more likely to receive hormonal therapy (p<0.001) and less likely to receive radiotherapy (p=0.08) and chemotherapy (p=0.003). There was no difference in survival and locoregional recurrence rates between the groups. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study demonstrate that breast cancer in elderly patients has more favorable tumor features, warranting less aggressive treatment regimens after surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebru Sen Oran
- Department of General Surgery, Medical Faculty, Namik Kemal University, Tekirdag, Turkey E-mail :
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Din O, Dodwell D, Winter M, Mori S, Coleman R. Current Opinion of Aromatase Inhibitor-induced Arthralgia in Breast Cancer in the UK. Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) 2011; 23:674-80. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clon.2011.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2010] [Revised: 04/25/2011] [Accepted: 05/05/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Women aged ≥65 are generally underrepresented in early breast cancer studies. Therefore, the optimal management of this group of women remains less certain. METHODS A literature review of recently published trials, reviews, and practice guidelines outlining the surgical and adjuvant management of early breast cancer in older women was performed. RESULTS Surgery remains as the cornerstone treatment for early breast cancer in the elderly. Adjuvant radiation is generally considered if the projected lifespan is >5 years. Hormone receptor-positive disease is best treated with adjuvant endocrine treatment; aromatase inhibitors and tamoxifen are both options. Evidence for the use of adjuvant chemotherapy and trastuzumab for high-risk disease in the elderly is more limited. Polychemotherapy is still preferred in fit older women. Certain toxicities from systemic treatments can be more pronounced and should be carefully managed. Treatment with systemic agents should be individualized, with consideration of patient preference, performance status, comorbidities, and projected lifespan. Molecular tumor signatures may help better select patients for treatment in the future. CONCLUSIONS Age in itself should not be an absolute contraindication to any breast cancer therapy. Comprehensive, multidisciplinary assessment of elderly patients is imperative in evaluating eligibility for beneficial therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonal Gandhi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre, Toronto, Canada.
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Abstract
Oral warfarin is associated with extensive food and drug interactions, and there is a need to consider such interactions with the new oral anticoagulants (OACs) dabigatran etexilate, rivaroxaban and apixaban. A literature survey was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE and recent abstracts from thrombosis meetings to identify publications related to food, drug and dietary supplement interaction studies with dabigatran etexilate, rivaroxaban and apixaban. Clinical experience regarding food interactions is currently limited. Regarding drug-drug interactions, dabigatran requires caution when used in combination with strong inhibitors or inducers of P-glycoprotein, such as amiodarone or rifampicin. Rivaroxaban (and possibly apixaban) is contraindicated in combination with drugs that strongly inhibit both cytochrome P450 3A4 and P-glycoprotein, such as azole antimycotics, and caution is required when used in combination with strong inhibitors of only one of these pathways. Important drug interactions of the new OACs that can lead to adverse clinical reactions may also occur with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antiplatelet drugs, such as aspirin and clopidogrel. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications and food supplements (e.g. St. John's Wort) may also interact with the new OACs. Given the common long-term use of drugs for some chronic disorders, the frequent use of OTC medications and the need for multiple treatments in special populations, such as the elderly people, it is essential that the issue of drug interactions is properly evaluated. New OACs offer significant potential advantages to the field of venous thromboprophylaxis, but we should not fail to appreciate their lack of extensive clinical experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Walenga
- Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, Cardiovascular Institute, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153, USA.
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