Medical treatment for older breast cancer patients

摘要

The incidence of breast cancer and the percentage of the population 65 years of age or older is increasing in Japan. So many elderly patients with breast cancer are given medical treatment. The first-line treatment for elderly patients with hormone responsiveness is endocrine therapy prior to cytotoxic chemotherapy in principle. In terms of chemotherapy, treatment for elderly patients should not be avoided simply because of their age. Oncologists must determine whether chemotherapy should be prescribed after they assess the benefits and risk, including comorbidity and life expectancy, in elderly patients. In future, combinations with low harm treatments, including biologic agents, should be considered in treatment strategy for elderly patients with breast cancer.