RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Chemotherapy Treatment Options for Elderly Women with Breast Cancer
JF Anticancer Research
JO Anticancer Res
FD International Institute of Anticancer Research
SP 1673
OP 1676
VO 26
IS 2C
A1 KÜMMEL, SHERKO
A1 ELLING, DIRK
A1 JESCHKE, SOPHIA
A1 SCHMID, PETER
A1 THOMAS, ANKE
YR 2006
UL http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/26/2C/1673.abstract
AB Due to improved life expectancy and the increase in incidence of breast cancer in old age, ever more older women are developing this disease. Although there is only limited evidence-based data from randomized trials on the treatment, older patients are still under-represented in clinical studies, and currently there is no clear consensus on chemotherapy treatment for older women with breast cancer. Adjuvant therapy strategies, in particular, suffer from a lack of uniform standards and reflect a generally less aggressive treatment. Recently published studies have shown that older women suffering from breast cancer can also profit from a treatment based on therapeutic standards and consensus guidelines. In spite of developments in adjuvant chemotherapy using increased amounts of therapeutic agent to improve survival, many older patients receive instead reduced quantities of chemotherapeutic agent. Thus, the questions arise, whether undertreatment of older patients with breast cancer can lead to a poorer outcome or whether new therapy strategies (e.g., dose-intensive chemotherapy) can be used with older patients. A common reason for dose reductions is neutropenia, but studies have shown that it is manageable by using granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSFs). In this review, the current status of clinical research in the area of adjuvant treatment and the necessity for clinical studies that take into account the special therapeutic requirements of older women are discussed. Copyright© 2006 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved