Breast cancer in elderly women: a retrospective analysis of combined treatment with tamoxifen and once-weekly irradiation

Abstract

Purpose : To evaluate retrospectively the efficacy of combined modality treatment (hormone therapy and hypofractionated radiotherapy) in a population of very elderly women with breast cancer. Methods and Materials : Records on 70 patients of median age 81 years, treated between January 1988 and February 1994, whose median follow-up is now 36 months, have been evaluated. Information obtained included clinical stage at diagnosis, histology, tumor grading, hormone receptor levels, details of treatment, type of failure, survival data, and status at last follow-up examination. Treatment consisted of Tamoxifen 20 mg daily and a hypofractionated course of high dose-per-fraction once-weekly radiotherapy. In the majority of cases this consisted of seven exposures of 6.5 Gy (five to the involved breast, and two to the tumor bed) given over 6 weeks, on a 60Co unit. Nodes were treated when clinically involved, to a dose of 27.5–30 Gy in five to six fractions. Results : At median follow-up of 36 months, the overall survival rate is 87% [confidence interval (CI) 78–95%], the disease specific survival rate is 88% (CI 80–96%), and 72% (CI 60–84%) of patients are free of disease. The local control rate at 36 months is 86% (CI 76–95%). When analyzed by T stage, 81% of T1 patients, 96% of T2 patients, 60% of T3 patients and, paradoxically 100% of T4 patients were in local control at 36 months, although at that point there were just four such patients available for consideration in the T4 group. Initial response to hormone therapy does not appear to be a predictive indicator for ultimate loco-regional control. There is a trend towards greater probability of loco-regional failure if total dose delivered to the breast is less than 35 Gy. Conclusions : Women of elderly age are often denied combined modality therapy, because of coexistant disease or fears held by the responsible physicians that elderly patients are unable to tolerate surgery or protracted courses of radiotherapy. Consquently, many are treated by tamoxifen alone with poor results. This study demonstrates that very high rates of loco-regional control are achievable using hormonal treatment combined with high dose-per-fraction once-weekly radiotherapy.