[Characteristics and results of breast cancer in elderly females treated with curative intent].

BACKGROUND Aging is the main risk factor to acquire breast cancer (BC). Nevertheless BC in elderly patients is sub-represented in clinical trials. AIM To describe the clinical characteristics and long term treatment results of localized BC in older women. MATERIAL AND METHODS Review of medical records of 65 women aged 70 to 88 years, with localized BC, treated with surgery, postoperative radiotherapy or systemic therapy at a Clinical Hospital in Chile. RESULTS The presence of symptoms or abnormal findings on physical examination were the main reasons for consulting in 65% of cases. Compared with tumors detected on physical examination, those detected using screening mammogram were smaller and were in stage 1 with a higher frequency (18 and 59% respectively, p < 0.01). The pathological type was luminal in 80% of cases. Overall survival was better for luminal pathological type. All patients completed radiotherapy without interruptions developing minor acute toxicity. The most common co-morbidity was high blood pressure occurring in 46% of patients. Thirteen percent of patients had three or more co-morbidities. After a median follow up of 7 years, 23 (35%) patients had died and the cause of death was BC in 43% of cases. Two patients died of lung cancer. No patient had a local breast relapse. CONCLUSIONS Screening mammogram in older women detected smaller tumors and it was associated with a better survival. BC is the ultimate cause of death in approximately half of cases.