Special Considerations when Treating Breast Cancer in the Elderly

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Schnaper, Lauren A.^a | Hughes, Kevin S.^{b; *}

Affiliations: [a] Comprehensive Breast Care Center, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, USA | [b] Massachusetts General Hospital, Division of Surgical Oncology, Boston, MA, USA

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Kevin S. Hughes, MD, Surgical Director, Screening Program, Clinical Co-Director, Breast/Ovarian Cancer Genetics and Risk Assessment Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Division of Surgical Oncology, 100 Blossom Street, Cox 626, Boston, MA 02114, USA.

Abstract: The growing aging population of the U.S. will lead to an absolute and proportional increase in elderly women with breast cancer. While the underlying biologic characteristics of the disease will not likely change, the health status and life expectancy of the patients will improve. Our decisions regarding therapy must take into account not just the disease we are treating, but the characteristics of the host as well.

DOI: 10.3233/BD-2001-12109

Journal: Breast Disease, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 83-93, 2001