Search

Aim: The aim of the present study was to compare breast cancer in elderly patients to their younger counterparts, and look for factors affecting the survival of elderly patients. Patients and Methods: A retrospective study of breast cancer patients who had surgery at a university hospital from 2000 to 2015 was performed. Stage on presentation, tumour characteristics and modalities of treatment for patients aged >70 years were compared with those aged <70 years. Factors affecting breast cancer specific survival were assessed by multivariate Cox regression. Results: In total, 3825 patients with breast cancer underwent surgery during the study period; 510 patients (13.3 per cent) were aged >70 years. The 5‐year overall survival for elderly patients was 76.9 per cent, which was poorer than their younger counterparts (89.5 per cent, P = 0.000). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the use of adjuvant hormonal therapy (P = 0.001, hazard ratio: 0.481), advanced T‐stage (P < 0.05) and advanced N‐stage (P < 0.001) were the independent factors affecting breast cancer‐specific survival in elderly patients. Conclusions: Elderly breast cancer patients had worse overall and breast cancer‐specific survival. Stage on presentation and the use of adjuvant hormonal therapy were independent factors affecting survival among elderly patients. Early diagnosis and comprehensive geriatric assessment to guide the optimal treatment plan would be useful for better survival outcomes in elderly breast cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present systematic review is to critically appraise the current evidence from published medical trials on the role of programmed second endoscopy with appropriate therapy on peptic ulcer re-bleeding. A systematic review of five prospective randomized controlled trials comparing the effect of programmed second endoscopy against conservative management on peptic ulcer re-bleeding was carried out. From the meta-analysis of the combined results from the five trials on the effect of programmed second endoscopy in ulcer bleeding, we found that a programmed second endoscopy with appropriate therapy reduced the number of recurrent bleeding significantly (Peto odds ratio = 1.97, Mantel Haenszel-Peto P < 0.01). The number of patients needed for treatment with a programmed second endoscopy in order to prevent one recurrent bleeding ranged from four to 11. Programmed second endoscopy with appropriate therapy reduced the number of recurrent bleeding significantly in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers. Individual trials also showed a possible benefit in reduction of the number of surgical interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]