Abstract

GAVA, R. R. et al. Importance of the age as factor determining prognosis of the variability of the clinical-pathological characteristics of patients with breast cancer  . Medifam [online]. 2002, vol.12, n.6, pp.29-40. ISSN 1131-5768.

Objective: to analyze the patient's age as prognostic factor in breast cancer.  Material and methods: a group of 769 patients diagnosed and treated of breast cancer was restrospectively analyzed. Both oestrogen (RE) and progesterone (RP) receptors, DNA content, and phase S were determined. It was analyzed the correlation between patient's age and clinical histological parameters and the significance prognosis.  Results: the mean age of patients was 59 years (range: 26-92 years) and the greatest incidence was in the sixth decade. We found a significant association between patient's age and tumor size (p<0.0001), histologic grade (p<0.018), RE (p<0.014), and phase S (p<0.019). The younger patients showed smaller tumor size, power differentiated and more negative RE tumors grade than older patients.  The univariate assays demostrated that tumor size, positive nodal status, and undifferentiated histologic grade were significatively associated with a shorter relapse free survival disease and a shorter overall survival. Nevertheless, there were not differences in the prognosis of patients according to their age.  Conclusions: the present study demostrates a significant association between patient's age and clinical, morphologic, and biological characteristics of the breast carcinomas. However, there was not correlation of patient's age with their prognosis. This finding could have important implications to treatment and value of the breast cancer patients 

Keywords : Breast cancer; Age; Ploidy; Phase S; Estrogen receptor; Prognosis.