Open AccessTreating Positive Axillary Disease in Elderly Breast Cancer Patients: The Impact of Age on Radiation Therapy
Author(s) -
Chandler S. Cortina,
Ashley A. Woodfin,
Laurel L. Tangalakis,
Xuanji Wang,
Jennifer D. Son,
Jennifer Poirier,
Ruta Rao,
Katherine Kopkash,
Andrea Madrigrano
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
breast care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.767
H-Index - 30
eISSN - 1661-3805
pISSN - 1661-3791
DOI - 10.1159/000508243
Subject(s) - medicine , radiation therapy , breast cancer , cancer , disease , oncology
Breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in females, and 30% of these patients are over the age of 70 years. Studies have shown deviation from the standard treatment paradigms in the elderly, especially in regard to radiation treatment. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review on 118 patients over the age of 70 years diagnosed with breast cancer and pathologically proven axillary disease over an 8-year period at an urban academic hospital to examine which patient factors influenced radiotherapy. Results: Increasing patient age was associated with a decrease in the probability of receiving radiotherapy, while HER2-negative patients were more likely to receive radiation. Neither race, number of coexisting medical conditions, or insurance status showed any influence on radiation treatment. Conclusion: Patient age has a significant influence if elderly patients with axillary disease receive radiotherapy. Further investigation and validation are needed to understand why chronological age rather than biological age influences treatment modalities.