Patients younger than 40years old and older than 70years old affected by ER(-)/PR(-)/HER2(-) breast cancer have low survival rates: Results of a mono-institutional retrospective analysis

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the survival and tumor characteristics, including breast cancer phenotypes, of older patients affected by breast cancer and compare these results with those of younger patients. Materials and Methods: Data of 890 patients were analyzed. Patient characteristics and outcomes were evaluated among women aged. ≤ 40 vs 41-50 vs 51-60 vs 61-70 vs > 70. years old. Results: Patients > 70. years old had more frequently a HER2(+) breast cancer phenotype and positive axillary nodes and had lower breast cancer specific survival and distant metastases free survival rates. When analysed for ER(-)/PR(-)/HER2(-) phenotype, younger and older patients had lower survival compared with other age subgroups. Conclusions: In our study, patients younger than 40. years old and older than 70. years affected by ER(-)/PR(-)/HER2(-) breast cancer have lower survival. Considering that there is no common behavior on how to treat older patients affected by this particular breast cancer phenotype, there is an increasing need to enroll older patients in clinical trials in order to realize tailored standards of care.