Tamoxifen as initial treatment in breast cancer in elderly women: a 10-year follow-up
Colin, C.; Lifrange, E.; Genicot, F.; Castronovo, V.; Lambotte, R.
Revue Medicale de Liege 45(11): 533-538
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0370-629X PMID: 2267455 Document Number: 354232
A total of 56 patients, 70 years of age or older, were treated with tamoxifen for T1-4 breast cancer. A period of 3 to 6 months was necessary in order to achieve regression of tumor opacity in 46.4% of the cases, tumor stabilization in 30.4% of the cases, and increased tumor size in 23.3% of the cases. Type of response appeared independent of initial tumor stage. Total survival at 10 years did not differ from that of patients 70 years of age or older who opted for classical local or regional treatment. In contrast, in cases of tumoral regression, survival time was longer for the tamoxifon-treated patients and comparable to that of a control population of the same age group. Local relapses were frequent, and poorer were predicted for cases in which relapse occurred during the first three years of treatment. The true cause of death was often difficult to identify in these patients and a direct relationship with breast cancer was not observed in half of the cases.