Comparison of breast cancer patients over the age of 70 and under the age of 35

Abstract

Introduction: Although breast cancer is a type of cancer that is mainly seen in advanced ages, its incidence is increasing in early ages in developing countries. While advanced age may create limitations in treatment due to the person’s functional capacity and low life expectancy, treatments may be exaggerated at a young age due to the long-life expectancy and expectations from life. In this study, we aimed to examine possible differences in approach in two different age groups diagnosed with breast cancer. Materials and Methods: The retrospective study included 123 patients over the age of 70 or under 35 who applied to our hospital’s breast surgery outpatient clinic between 2016 and 2021 and were diagnosed with breast cancer. The patients’ complaints at the outpatient clinic, the histopathological features of the tumor, and the treatments applied were compared. Results: 64 (52%) of the patients included in the study were over 70 years old, and 59 (47%) were under 35 years old. Patients in both groups were applied to the outpatient clinic with a palpable mass. Histopathologically, invasive ductal cancer constituted the majority in both groups. While the elderly patients were lower grade and Estrogen receptor-positive, the younger patients were high grade, Estrogen receptor negative, and mostly triple negative. Conclusions: Regardless of age, breast cancer is a cancer type that can have better results with early diagnosis. While making the treatment decision the decision should be made according to the characteristics of the tumor, comorbidity, and life expectancy, regardless of the patient’s age. Keywords: Breast Neoplasms; Aged; Age Distribution; Therapeutics.