Adjuvant chemotherapy in older women with breast cancer: who and what?

J Clin Oncol. 2014 Jul 1;32(19):1996-2000. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2013.54.8586. Epub 2014 May 27.

Abstract

A 73-year-old woman has been diagnosed with a mammographically detected grade 3, 2.2-cm invasive ductal carcinoma that is sentinel lymph node negative, estrogen receptor positive (80%), progesterone receptor negative, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (0 by immunohistochemistry). A gene expression assay (Oncotype DX, Genomic Health, Redwood City, CA) showed a recurrence score of 28. Except for well-controlled hypertension and some aches and pains in her hands and knees, she has no other major illnesses. Her medications include an antihypertensive, vitamin D, and calcium. She discontinued cigarette smoking 20 years ago and has an occasional glass of wine. She describes her health as good, is fully functional, drives, has had no falls, and provides the majority of care for her sick husband. Her blood pressure is 146/88, her body mass index is 29.7, and her physical examination is normal. She is aware of the benefits and risks of adjuvant endocrine therapy and has been referred to discuss the role of chemotherapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis*
  • Breast Neoplasms / chemistry
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / surgery
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Comorbidity
  • Female
  • Filgrastim
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Life Expectancy*
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Quality of Life*
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / analysis
  • Recombinant Proteins / administration & dosage
  • Referral and Consultation
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Taxoids / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Taxoids
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor
  • pegfilgrastim
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • ERBB2 protein, human
  • Receptor, ErbB-2
  • Filgrastim