Triple-negative breast cancer in the elderly: Prognosis and treatment

• DOI: 10.1111/tbj.12813
• Publication Date: 2017-05-09T13:29:00Z
• Authors: Henry G. Kaplan; Judith A. Malmgren; Mary K. Atwood
• Keywords: Adult; Aged, 80 and over; Washington; Age Factors; Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms; Middle Aged; Prognosis; Disease-Free Survival; 3. Good health; Cohort Studies; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Humans; Female; Registries; Aged; Neoplasm Staging; Proportional Hazards Models; Retrospective Studies

Our objective is to characterize treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in older patients and measure mortality risk relative younger women. We conducted a retrospective cohort study analysis presenting with primary TNBC, age 25-93, stage I-III from 1990 2014, identified tracked by our registry (n=771). Clinical characteristics were chart abstracted at diagnosis follow-up. The Kaplan–Meier method was used disease-specific survival (DSS) Cox regression modeling for contribution patient clinical characteristics. Of patients, 80% <65 years (n=612), 13% 65-74 (n=100), 7% 75 (n=59). Older women presented more often lower BC (stage I: 31% <65, 48% 65-74, 39% 75+; P=.014). All three groups equally likely have radiation therapy (77%) but less treated adjuvant chemotherapy (<65=95%, 65-74=76%, 75+=39%; P<.001). Mean follow-up 7.34 did not differ age. Five-year DSS equivalent across the (<65=85%, 65-74=90%, 75+=83%, P=.322). In controlling stage, histologic nuclear grade, year, treatment, significantly associated mortality. TNBC appears despite aggressive older. This may be result decreased disease virulence resulting comparative treatment.