Herceptin Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Herceptin, including details on side-effects, breast cancer, treatment, therapy.

Locally advanced breast cancer in octogenarian women.

Mano M, Fraser G, McIlroy P, Stirling L, MacKay H, Ritchie D, Canney P

Beatson Oncology Centre, Glasgow, UK. max.mano@northglasgow.scot.nhs.uk

Elderly patients are more likely to present with locally advanced breast cancer than younger patients. Furthermore, due to the accelerated aging of the western population, the incidence of breast cancer in this population is expected to steadily rise in the coming decades. So far, no guidelines are available for the management of octogenarian patients presenting with inoperable disease, what frequently results in a dilemma for the treating physician. For the time being, these patients should be ideally treated within the context of a clinical trial. In all other cases, the treatment has to be individualised, frequently based on data extrapolated from different population of patients, or retrospective series. This article reviews the current evidence, options, and most promising approaches for these patients.

Published 24 January 2005 in Breast Cancer Res Treat, 89(1): 81-90.
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