2Department of Radiation Oncology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara-Turkey
3Department of Radiation Oncology, İstanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul-Turkey
4Department of Radiation Oncology, Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Medicine, İzmir-Turkey
5Department of Radiation Oncology, Başkent University Faculty of Medicine Adana Dr. Turgut Noyan Research and Treatment Center, Adana-Turkey
6Department of Radiation Oncology, Ondokuz Mayıs University Faculty of Medicine, Samsun-Turkey DOI : 10.5505/tjo.2019.1981 OBJECTIVE
To compare the tumor characteristics, treatment approaches, recurrence patterns and survival results rates of young and elderly patients with breast cancer.
METHODS
In this study, Between between 2000-2013, a total of 779 patients were treated for breast cancer at nine
radiation oncology departments were evaluated retrospectively. Three-hundred eight-four of these patients
were young (?35 years), and 395 of those the patients were elderly (?70 years).
RESULTS
Young patients were more likely to present with aggressive tumor features. They were more often received
comprehensive lymphatic irradiation, tumor bed boost and intense chemotherapy. No difference was found
for 5 and 10-year loco-regional recurrence- free survival rates were (96% and 93% for young, 97% and 97%
for elderly). The 5 and 10-year distant recurrence- free survival rates were lower in the young patients (77%
and 67% for young, 85% and 85% for elderly, p<0.0001). No difference was found in 5 and 10-year breast
cancer- specific survival (91% and 79% for young, 92% and 87% for elderly). The 5 and 10-year overall survival
rates were higher in the young patients (92% and 78% for young, 78% and 63% for elderly, p<0.0001).
CONCLUSION
The reason for the similarity between the age groups in terms ofregarding loco-regional recurrence- free
survival can be more comprehensive lymphatic irradiation and tumor bed boost, the young patients
received. The distant recurrence- free survival rates rates were significantly lower in the young patients
even though they received more intensive chemotherapy. Future studies aimed at more effective systemic
regimens to decrease distant recurrence in young patients are warranted.