Histología e inmunohistoquímica de los carcinomas de mama en pacientes intervenidas de más de 70 años de edad

Abstract

ObjectiveWe retrospectively analyzed tumoral characteristics (histology and immunohistochemistry) in a group of elderly patients (≥ 70 years old) after surgery between 2003 and 2005, and compared these characteristics with those of younger patients. Material and methodsWe studied the characteristics of 483 breast carcinomas diagnosed sfrom 2003 to 2005 in the Gynecology Service of the 12 de Octubre Hospital in Madrid. Of these, 153 (31.7%) corresponded to patients aged 70 years old or older. Data were analyzed using the SPSS 12.0 program, and the groups were compared using chi-square analysis (or Fisher’s test when required). Quantitative data were expressed as mean±standard deviation and median with interquartile range. ResultsIn our patients aged 70 years or older, diagnosis after mammography was less frequent. In situ and microinvasive carcinomas were less frequent and the mean size of invasive carcinomas was larger. These findings can be explained by the lack of mammographic screening. No other histological or immuno-histochemical differences were found in comparison with younger patients and no differences were found in axillary lymph node involvement in women with axillary dissection. ConclusionsTreatment in elderly patients should be individually tailored according to the biological characteristics of the tumor, comorbidity, and life expectancy. Age per se should not be considered a predictive factor of worse outcome.