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Breast cancer management in the elderly

  • Educational Series—Red Series
  • NEW TRENDS IN CLINICAL ONCOLOGY
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Abstract

The increase in life expectancy in the western world means that we are faced with patients diagnosed with breast cancer in old age with increasing frequency. The management of these cases is a challenge for the oncologist, who must take into account the conditions associated with advanced age and the lack of trials in this population. In this review, we addressed the incorporation of geriatric assessment methods that may be useful in making decisions, the particular biological characteristics of breast cancer in elderly patients and their treatment in both localized and advanced disease. Finally, we collected recommendations based on scientific evidence regarding the monitoring and life-style after finishing treatment.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Mss. Penny Metcalfe for the language review, which was financially supported by AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, C/Julian Clavería s/n, 33006, Oviedo, Spain

    M. Luque & Y. Fernández

  2. Hospital Río Carrión, Palencia, Spain

    F. Arranz

  3. Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain

    J. F. Cueva

  4. Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Santander, Spain

    A. de Juan

  5. Hospital San Agustín, Avilés, Asturias, Spain

    P. García-Teijido

  6. Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de A Coruña, La Coruña, Spain

    L. Calvo & S. Antolín

  7. Hospital de Cabueñes, Gijón, Asturias, Spain

    I. Peláez

  8. Hospital de León, León, Spain

    A. García-Palomo

  9. Complejo Hospitalario de Ourense, Ourense, Galicia, Spain

    J. García-Mata

  10. Centro Integral Oncológico Clara Campal, Madrid, Spain

    L. García-Estévez

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  1. M. Luque
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  2. F. Arranz
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  11. L. García-Estévez
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  12. Y. Fernández
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Correspondence to M. Luque.

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Luque, M., Arranz, F., Cueva, J.F. et al. Breast cancer management in the elderly. Clin Transl Oncol 16, 351–361 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12094-013-1113-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12094-013-1113-2

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