The Effect of Place of Residence on Treatment Outcomes and Survival in Octogenarian and Nonagenarian Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract

Introduction The number of octogenarian invasive breast cancer cases is projected to increase, as there is a significant increase in life expectancy. However, no specific treatment guideline has been established so far for this vulnerable group of patients. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the treatment outcomes of octogenarians diagnosed with early and locally advanced invasive breast cancer, to compare those who underwent surgery with conventional treatment and those who did not, and to reveal the potential social factors that may affect their therapy outcomes. Material and methods A total of 78 patients aged 80 and over were included in the study. There was a significant relationship between a patient's social milieu and treatment status (p < 0.001). The relationship between receiving endocrine therapy or surgical treatment was also significant (p = 0.029). Results The surgical treatment rate was 90.9% in survivors, which was significantly lower in those who passed away (37.8%, p < 0.001). According to the log-rank test results, life expectancy was significantly longer in operated patients than in non-operated ones (p < 0.001). The median survival length was 62 months (range: 33.890.2) in operated patients 80 years of age and above and 19 months (range: 16.3-21.7) in non-operated ones. The surgical treatment frequency was 15.30 times (range: 4.86-48.21) higher in patients living with family than in patients living alone or in a nursing home. Conclusion Thus, the social milieu of the patients, especially the place of residence, had a major impact on the treatment of the elderly (octogenarians) patients with breast cancer. Surgery and endocrine therapy as an adjuvant treatment were tolerable and had positive impacts on survival.