[Breast cancer in women over 60 years of age].

The breast cancer is the most frequent malignancy in women over 60 years of age in the developed countries and it represents the second frequent cause of death through malignancies in women.

METHODS

The study was performed on 63 women over 60 years old diagnosed with breast cancer in an one year period (2006) in our service. The aim of the study is to establish the clinical particularities and the optimal therapeutically management of this disease on elderly women.

RESULTS

The incidence of the malignancy is high (78% of all cases) in women of 60 to 69 years of age. The most common risk factor revealed in this study is obesity (33%). Cardiovascular diseases (70%) and atrophic cervico-vaginitis (43%) are the most frequent associated conditions. The incidence of the early stages of the malignancy is low (14%) and usually the tumors are well differentiated ductal invasive carcinomas (63%). The modified Madden radical mastectomy was performed in most of the cases (75%).

CONCLUSIONS

Breast cancer in elderly women has an incidence peak at the age of 60 to 69 years. Despite numerous associated conditions the surgical treatment remains the most effective therapy.