Quality of life in breast cancer patients aged over 70 years, participating in the EORTC 10850 randomised clinical trial. European journal of cancer (Oxford, England : 1990) [Eur J Cancer] Journal article | | Title | Quality of life in breast cancer patients aged over 70 years, participating in the EORTC 10850 randomised clinical trial. | | Author(s) | de Haes JC, Curran D, Aaronson NK, Fentiman IS | | Institution | Department of Medical Psychology, Academic Medical Hospital, PO Box 22700, 1100 DE Amsterdam, The Netherlands. j.c.dehaes@amc.uva.nl | | Source | Eur J Cancer 2003 May; 39(7):945-51. | | MeSH | Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
Breast Neoplasms
Decision Making
Female
Humans
Mastectomy
Patient Satisfaction
Quality of Life
Survival Analysis
Tamoxifen
| | Abstract | Mastectomy and breast-conserving treatment have proven equally effective in terms of survival in early breast cancer, but studies continue to provide evidence that patients undergoing breast-conserving procedures have a better quality of life (QOL). Age is not considered to be a contraindication for breast-conserving treatment, but retrospective studies have indicated that elderly patients are less likely to be treated conservatively. In the present study, survival, QOL and treatment preference have been investigated in a multicentre, randomised clinical trial of elderly patients with early breast cancer undergoing mastectomy or tumour excision plus tamoxifen. Eligible patients were aged 70 years or more and had histologically- or cytologically-confirmed operable breast cancer. A QOL questionnaire consisting of 36 items was constructed covering 9 scales assessing different QOL domains. Patients completed their assessment between 2 and 12 months after randomisation. 136 patients (65 in the mastectomy arm and 71 in the local excision arm) from six centres filled out a QOL form during the first year of follow-up. No significant difference in the duration of survival between the two treatment arms was observed when including patients included in the QOL sub-study (P=0.33). Patients undergoing tumour excision and tamoxifen did not differ from those undergoing mastectomy in terms of fatigue, emotional functioning, fear of recurrence, social support, physical functioning and leisure time activities. However, conservatively treated patients reported fewer arm problems (P=0.04) and a shift, although borderline significant, in the direction of a benefit in body image (P=0.06). As QOL seems to be better after conservative treatment, such treatment is to be preferred in both elderly and younger patients. | | Language | eng | | Pub Type(s) | Clinical Trial
Journal Article
Multicenter Study
Randomized Controlled Trial
| | PubMed ID | 12706363 |
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