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Rassu PC. Breast surgical oncology in elderly and unfit patients: a systematic review. Minerva Surg 2021; 76:538-549. [PMID: 34935322 DOI: 10.23736/s2724-5691.21.08995-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Breast cancer treatment in elderly women remains a complex issue due to pre-existing comorbidities, therapy-related toxicities, and the lack of evidence-based data in this population, leading to both overtreatment and undertreatment. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION The aim was to investigate the literature on breast surgical oncology in the older woman as a major therapeutic challenge: the 86 more consistent articles amongst 1440 potential citations according to PRISMA guidelines were retained. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS Studies demonstrated that despite low-grade tumor types, lower incidence of axillary lymph node involvement, ER+ disease, and less aggressive tumor biology, elderly breast cancer patients often receive less than the standard-of-care when compared to their younger counterparts. The surgery omission in elderlies and the preference for the primary endocrine treatment is associated with worse survival, especially in patients aged 80 years or over - a cohort with no specific recommendations concerning breast and axillary surgical procedures. On the other hand, a higher mastectomy rate is still considered the standard treatment in older women with higher T2:T1 tumor ratio and greater difficulties to attend radiotherapy due to severe comorbidities. Surgical de-escalation procedures even in an-ambulatory setting are recognized as a feasible option in these patients to prevent or palliate breast or chest wall symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Benefits and disadvantages from surgery only or coupled with adjuvant therapies for elderly women were analyzed in literature, outlining a growing need for a proper geriatric assessment and short-stay surgical programs which are feasible today owing to the availability of less invasive approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pier C Rassu
- Department of General Surgery, S. Giacomo Hospital, Novi Ligure, Alessandria, Italy -
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Angarita FA, Hoppe EJ, Ko G, Lee J, Vesprini D, Hong NJL. Why do Older Women Avoid Breast Cancer Surgery? A Qualitative Analysis of Decision-making Factors. J Surg Res 2021; 268:623-633. [PMID: 34474211 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2021.06.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few studies have explored why older women (≥70 years old) avoid breast cancer surgery. This study aimed to identify physician- and patient-perceived attitudes that influence the decision to avoid surgery among older women with invasive breast cancer. METHODS Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with multidisciplinary breast cancer specialists and older women (≥70 years old) with breast cancer who declined surgery. Transcripts were iteratively coded using a theoretical framework to guide identification of common themes. Thematic comparison was performed between patients and physicians. RESULTS Ten breast cancer specialists and eleven patients participated. Physicians believed older women declined surgery because they did not perceive breast cancer as a life-threatening ailment compared to other medical comorbidities. Physicians did not discuss breast reconstruction, as it was perceived to be unimportant. Treatment side effects, length of treatment, impact on quality of life, and minimal survival benefit strongly influenced patients' decision to decline surgery. Patients valued independence and quality of life over quantity of life. Patients felt empowered to participate in the decision-making process but appreciated having support. Both phyisicians and patients had congruent beliefs with respect to age impacting treatment decision, cosmesis playing a minor factor in treatment decisions, and importance of quality of life; however, they were discordant in their perceptions about the amount of support that patients have from their families. CONCLUSIONS The decision to avoid surgery in older women stems from a variety of individual beliefs. Acknowledging patient values early in treatment planning may facilitate a patient-centered approach to the decision-making process.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ethan J Hoppe
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gary Ko
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Justin Lee
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of Radiation Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Danny Vesprini
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of Radiation Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nicole J Look Hong
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Individualizing Local-Regional Therapy of Breast Cancer in the Elderly. CURRENT BREAST CANCER REPORTS 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s12609-018-0272-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Thirty-day postoperative morbidity and mortality in elderly women with breast cancer: an analysis of the NSQIP database. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2018; 170:373-379. [PMID: 29546481 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-018-4747-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Postoperative complication rates for elderly women undergoing breast cancer surgery have not been well studied. We describe the postoperative complication rates of elderly (≥ 70 years) women with breast cancer and compare them with young (40-69 years) women. METHODS Data were extracted from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database (2004-2014). We included women with invasive breast cancer who underwent surgery. Outcomes were 30-day postoperative morbidity and mortality (complications), which were compared between young and elderly women. Morbidity was categorized using the Surgical Risk Preoperative Assessment System (SURPAS) clusters. RESULTS We identified 100,037 women of which 26.7% were elderly. Compared to young women, elderly women were more likely to have more comorbidities and undergo breast-conserving surgery, but less likely to undergo lymph node surgery, breast reconstruction, and neoadjuvant chemotherapy. While the 30-day overall morbidity rate was not significantly different between young and elderly women (3.9 vs. 3.8%, p = 0.2), elderly women did have significantly higher rates of pulmonary, cardiac (arrest and myocardial infarction), venous thromboembolic, and neurological morbidity. Specific morbidities that showed significantly lower rates among elderly women included wound disruption and deep and organ space surgical site infection. Any cause death was significantly higher in elderly compared to young women (0.2 vs. 0.05%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS While some specific 30-day postoperative morbidities were more often seen in elderly women, the overall 30-day postoperative complication rate was very low. These data support the safety of breast cancer surgery in well-selected elderly patients.
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Lodi M, Scheer L, Reix N, Heitz D, Carin AJ, Thiébaut N, Neuberger K, Tomasetto C, Mathelin C. Breast cancer in elderly women and altered clinico-pathological characteristics: a systematic review. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2017; 166:657-668. [PMID: 28803352 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-017-4448-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women in terms of incidence and mortality. Age is undoubtedly the biggest breast cancer risk factor. In this study we examined clinical, histological, and biological characteristics and mortality of breast cancer in elderly women along with their changes with advancing age. METHODS We reviewed 63 original articles published between 2006 and 2016 concerning women over 70 years with breast cancer. RESULTS Compared to patients 70-79 years, patients aged 80 and over had larger tumor size with fewer T1 (42.9% vs 57.7%, p < 0.01) and more T2 lesions (43.5% vs 33.0%, p < 0.01). Lymph nodes and distant metastases were more frequent, with more N + (49.5% vs 44.0%, p < 0.01) and more M1 (8.0% vs 5.9%, p < 0.01). Infiltrating mucinous carcinomas were more frequent (4.3% vs 3.7%, p < 0.01). Tumors had lower grades, with more grade 1 (23.2% vs 19.8%, p = 0.01) and fewer grade 3 (21.5% vs 25.5%, p < 0.01), and were more hormone-sensitive: PR was more often expressed (72.6% vs 67.3%, p < 0.01). Lympho-vascular invasion was less frequent in the 80 years and over (22.9% vs 29.7%, p = 0.01). Breast cancer-specific mortality was higher both at 5 years (25.8% vs 17.2%, p < 0.01) and 10 years (32.7% vs 26.6%, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION Clinico-pathological characteristics, increased incidence, and mortality associated with aging can be explained on one hand by biological changes of the breast such as increased estrogen sensitivity, epithelial cell alterations, immune senescence, and tumor microenvironment modifications. However, sociologic factors such as increased life expectancy, under-treatment, late diagnosis, and insufficient individual screening, are also involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Lodi
- Senology Unit, Strasbourg University Hospital, Hôpital de Hautepierre 1, Avenue Molière, 67200, Strasbourg, France.
| | - L Scheer
- Senology Unit, Strasbourg University Hospital, Hôpital de Hautepierre 1, Avenue Molière, 67200, Strasbourg, France
| | - N Reix
- ICube, UMR 7357, Strasbourg University/CNRS, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), 300 Boulevard Sébastien Brant, 67400, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France.,Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Strasbourg University Hospital, 1 Place de l'Hôpital, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - D Heitz
- Onco-geriatric Unit, Strasbourg University Hospital, 1 Avenue Molière, 67200, Strasbourg, France
| | - A-J Carin
- Gynecology Department, Haguenau General Hospital, 64 Avenue du Professeur Leriche, 67504, Haguenau, France
| | - N Thiébaut
- Quantmetry, 128 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008, Paris, France
| | - K Neuberger
- Quantmetry, 128 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008, Paris, France
| | - C Tomasetto
- Institue de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), CNRS, UMR7104 INSERM U964, 1 rue Laurent Fries, 67400, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - C Mathelin
- Senology Unit, Strasbourg University Hospital, Hôpital de Hautepierre 1, Avenue Molière, 67200, Strasbourg, France.,Institue de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), CNRS, UMR7104 INSERM U964, 1 rue Laurent Fries, 67400, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France.,Hôpital Saint Nicolas, Sarrebourg General Hospital, 25 Avenue du Général de Gaulle, 57400, Sarrebourg, France
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Frailty in major oncologic surgery of upper gastrointestinal tract: How to improve postoperative outcomes. Eur J Surg Oncol 2017; 43:1566-1571. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejso.2017.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Revised: 04/25/2017] [Accepted: 06/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
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Bhoo-Pathy N, Balakrishnan N, See MH, Taib NA, Yip CH. Missed Opportunities for Loco-Regional Treatment of Elderly Women with Breast Cancer. World J Surg 2016; 40:2913-2921. [PMID: 27456497 DOI: 10.1007/s00268-016-3658-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Factors associated with surgery, adjuvant radiotherapy, and chemotherapy and whether there were missed opportunities for treatment in elderly patients were determined in an Asian setting. METHODS All 5616 patients, diagnosed with breast cancer in University Malaya Medical Centre from 1999 to 2013 were included. In 945 elderly patients (aged 65 years and above), multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with treatment, following adjustment for age, ethnicity, tumor, and other treatment characteristics. The impact of lack of treatment on survival of the elderly was assessed while accounting for comorbidities. RESULTS One in five elderly patients had comorbidities. Compared to younger patients, the elderly had more favorable tumor characteristics, and received less loco-regional treatment and chemotherapy. Within stage I-IIIa elderly breast cancer patients, 10 % did not receive any surgery. These patients were older, more likely to be Malays, have comorbidities, and bigger tumors. In elderlies with indications for adjuvant radiotherapy, no irradiation (30 %) was associated with increasing age, comorbidity, and the absence of systemic therapy. Hormone therapy was optimal, but only 35 % of elderly women with ER negative tumors received chemotherapy. Compared to elderly women who received adequate treatment, those not receiving surgery (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.30, 95 %CI: 1.10-4.79), or radiotherapy (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.56, 95 %CI: 1.10-2.19), were associated with higher mortality. Less than 25 % of the survival discrepancy between elderly women receiving loco-regional treatment and no treatment were attributed to excess comorbidities in untreated patients. CONCLUSION While the presence of comorbidities significantly influenced loco-regional treatment decisions in the elderly, it was only able to explain the lower survival rates in untreated patients up to a certain extent, suggesting missed opportunities for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirmala Bhoo-Pathy
- Julius Centre University of Malaya (Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Evidence Based Medicine), Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Lembah Pantai, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. .,Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA, Utrecht, Netherlands.
| | - Nanthini Balakrishnan
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mee-Hoong See
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nur Aishah Taib
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Cheng-Har Yip
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Treatment patterns of elderly breast cancer patients at two Canadian cancer centres. Eur J Surg Oncol 2015; 41:625-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejso.2015.01.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2014] [Revised: 12/27/2014] [Accepted: 01/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Sisco M, Johnson DB, Wang C, Rasinski K, Rundell VL, Yao KA. The quality-of-life benefits of breast reconstruction do not diminish with age. J Surg Oncol 2015; 111:663-8. [DOI: 10.1002/jso.23864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2014] [Accepted: 11/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mark Sisco
- Division of Plastic Surgery; Department of Surgery; NorthShore University HealthSystem; Northbrook Illinois
| | - Donald B. Johnson
- Division of Plastic Surgery; Department of Surgery; NorthShore University HealthSystem; Northbrook Illinois
| | - Chihsiung Wang
- Center for Biomedical Research Informatics; Department of Surgery; NorthShore University HealthSystem; Evanston Illinois
| | | | - Veronica L. Rundell
- Division of Plastic Surgery; Department of Surgery; NorthShore University HealthSystem; Northbrook Illinois
| | - Katharine A. Yao
- Division of Surgical Oncology; Department of Surgery; NorthShore University HealthSystem; Evanston Illinois
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Panjari M, Robinson PJ, Davis SR, Schwarz M, Bell RJ. A comparison of the characteristics, treatment and outcome after 5years, of Australian women aged 70+with those aged<70years at the time of diagnosis of breast cancer. J Geriatr Oncol 2014; 5:141-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jgo.2013.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2013] [Revised: 09/12/2013] [Accepted: 12/13/2013] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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