The site of first relapse in postmenopausal high-risk node positive operable breast cancer patients

Abstract

772 Background: Adjuvant therapy of “high risk” node positive postmenopausal breast cancer patients (BC pts), specially in group of 65 years and older, is still controversial, concerning the use of systemic chemotherapy (CT). Methods: The analysis was retrospective and included 72 postmenopausal operable BC pts, with N+ (≥4 axillary lymph nodes), treated in Clinical Center of Montenegro. ER and/or PR status was unknown, or it was ER+ and/or PR+. The treatment consisted of radical mastectomy or breast conserving surgery, followed with adjuvant tamoxifen (alone or in combination with CMF or anthracycline based chemotherapy), with or without radiotherapy. Results: Median age of pts were 62 years (range 47–79).19/72 pts were treated with adjuvant tamoxifen alone. Combination tamoxifen and chemotherapy (concomitant or sequential tamoxifen after CT) were applied in 53 pts. Metastatic disease had been registered in 28 pts (39%). In the group of patients 65 yrs and younger 18/40(45%), pts relapsed, the most frequently in liver 6/18. Pts 65 years and older had 10/32 (31%) relapses. Soft tissue (5/10) and bone metastases (4/10) were the most frequently observed first site of relapse, but no relapses were noticed in the liver. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the operable BC may differ biologically between two age groups, at least in the most frequently first relapse sites. No significant financial relationships to disclose.