Update of the Phase III trial 'GRETA' of surgery and tamoxifen versus tamoxifen alone for early breast cancer in elderly women

Future Oncol. 2015;11(6):933-41. doi: 10.2217/fon.14.266. Epub 2014 Nov 10.

Abstract

Background: In the Phase III 'GRETA' trial 474 women aged ≥70 years with early breast cancer were randomly assigned to surgery plus tamoxifen for 5 years or tamoxifen alone for 5 years. This is a long-term update.

Patients & methods: Focusing on patients still alive in 2003, outcome end points has been recalculated.

Results: Median distant metastases disease-free survival is longer with tamoxifen alone for 5 years; (48.8 vs 37.9 months; p = 0.009). No difference was found in distant metastases rate, disease-free survival, breast cancer and overall survival.

Conclusion: Primary endocrine treatment until the the best response, followed by minimal surgery and prosecution endocrine treatment for 5-10 years is a suitable option for elderly breast cancer patients. Delayed surgery does not prejudice overall survival.

Keywords: breast cancer; elderly; primary tamoxifen.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / therapeutic use*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / mortality
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Tamoxifen / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
  • Tamoxifen