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Aromatase inhibitors in the treatment of elderly women with metastatic breast cancer
- Source :
- The Breast. 22:142-149
- Publication Year :
- 2013
- Publisher :
- Elsevier BV, 2013.
-
Abstract
- The proportion of elderly women in the population is rising, and in tandem, the incidence of breast cancer rises with age. Because of health and tolerability concerns, as well as life expectancy, physicians may be reluctant to advise a standard treatment regimen for elderly patients with metastatic breast cancer. To elucidate this issue, we performed a literature review of clinical studies that included women with metastatic breast cancer who were over the age of 65. Our results show that although little clinical evidence exists, what is available suggests that standard treatment is tolerated and beneficial for patients meeting certain criteria. A geriatric assessment may identify specific patient groups (independent, dependent, or frail) and thereby guide treatment. Treatment recommendations for elderly patients with metastatic breast cancer are sparse, although first-line endocrine treatment, usually aromatase inhibitors or tamoxifen, is recommended for hormone-sensitive disease. In general, the evidence from clinical studies suggests that aromatase inhibitors are more effective than either tamoxifen or megestrol acetate as first- or second-line treatment in postmenopausal women with metastatic breast cancer. Ultimately, quality of life, treatment effects, and comorbidities are important aspects in this population and may guide treatment choice. To provide evidence-based treatment guidance, future clinical trials should include more patients over the age of 65 years.
- Subjects :
- Oncology
medicine.medical_specialty
Health Status
Population
Antineoplastic Agents
Breast Neoplasms
Comorbidity
Anastrozole
chemistry.chemical_compound
Life Expectancy
Breast cancer
Exemestane
Internal medicine
Nitriles
medicine
Humans
education
Geriatric Assessment
Aged, 80 and over
education.field_of_study
Aromatase Inhibitors
business.industry
Standard treatment
Disease Management
General Medicine
Triazoles
Prognosis
medicine.disease
Metastatic breast cancer
Androstadienes
Clinical trial
Regimen
Treatment Outcome
chemistry
Letrozole
Disease Progression
Quality of Life
Drug Therapy, Combination
Female
Surgery
business
Tamoxifen
medicine.drug
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 09609776
- Volume :
- 22
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- The Breast
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....77ede33b70f4685f163d4101688c0a24