Adjuvant chemotherapy in elderly patients with breast cancer: a survey of the Breast International Group (BIG)

Ann Oncol. 2004 Feb;15(2):207-10. doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdh062.

Abstract

Background: To collect oncologists' experience and opinion on adjuvant chemotherapy in elderly breast cancer patients.

Materials and methods: A questionnaire was circulated among the members of the Breast International Group.

Results: A total of 277 oncologists from 28 countries participated in the survey. Seventy years is the age cut-off commonly used to define a patient as elderly. Biological age and the biological characteristics of the tumor are the most frequently used criteria to propose adjuvant chemotherapy to an elderly patient. Combination therapy with cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and fluorouracil on days 1 and 8 is the most frequently prescribed regimen. Great interest exists in oral chemotherapy.

Conclusion: There is interest among those who responded to the survey to validate a comprehensive geriatric assessment for use as a predictive instrument of toxicity and/or activity of anticancer therapy and to evaluate the role of a treatment option that is potentially less toxic and possibly as effective as polychemotherapy.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aging*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Cyclophosphamide / administration & dosage
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / administration & dosage
  • Geriatric Assessment
  • Health Care Surveys
  • Humans
  • Medical Oncology / statistics & numerical data
  • Methotrexate / administration & dosage
  • Patient Care Planning
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians' / statistics & numerical data*
  • Predictive Value of Tests

Substances

  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Fluorouracil
  • Methotrexate