612 Background: A recent Cochrane review of seven randomised trials involving 1,446 elderly women (unselected for oestrogen receptor (ER) status) has shown no significant difference in overall survival between surgery (with or without adjuvant tamoxifen) and primary endocrine therapy using tamoxifen. We now report results of a large series from a single centre with a dedicated elderly breast cancer service, with long term follow-up. Methods: During a period of > 20 years, 1,031 elderly (> 70 years) women with ER positive (H-score >50) early operable primary breast cancer received either surgery (with or without adjuvant endocrine therapy) (N = 436) or primary endocrine therapy (N = 595) (>80% using tamoxifen) as initial treatment, with complete follow-up information till deaths. The initial treatment was decided based on fitness for surgery and patient choice. Analysis was carried out on breast cancer specific survival and degree of ER positivity. Results: After a median follow up of 49 months (range 0 - 261 months), patients between 70 - 80 years, treated by surgery, had better 5-year breast cancer specific survival compared to their counterparts treated by primary endocrine therapy (95% versus 85%; p < 0.001). For patients > 80 years, there was however no statistical difference between the two groups (90% versus 90%; p = 0.813). The median survival has not reached yet in all groups. Patients in the latter group (> 80 years) were found to have a higher chance of having strongly ER positive tumours (57% versus 50% in patients between 70 - 80 years with H-score >200; p- < 0.02). Conclusions: In a selected group of elderly women (> 80 years) who tend to have strongly ER positive tumours, surgery and primary endocrine therapy did not appear to produce any difference in breast cancer specific survival. This subject is currently being investigated in a national randomised trial in the UK. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
RESPONSE: Re: Tumor Characteristics and Clinical Outcome of Elderly Women With Breast Cancer