SELECTION CRITERIA FOR BREAST-CONSERVATION - THE IMPACT OF YOUNG AND OLD-AGE AND COLLAGEN VASCULAR-DISEASE

Background. Selection criteria applicable to women desiring breast-conserving surgery and radiation for early invasive breast cancer have evolved over the last decade. The presence of active collagen vascular disease has emerged as a contraindication for this treatment. The roles of both young and old age have been debated by many authors, although a growing body of literature supports the impact of age on both local control and disease free survival. Methods. This is a review of the literature addressing these selection criteria. Results. A consensus exists regarding the impact of preexisting collagen vascular disease on the anticipated complications with breast-conserving radiation, despite small numbers reported. A young age, although not always a statistically significant factor, emerges as a consistent predictor for both local and distant failures. This is true not only for patients who opt for breast conservation but also those who are treated with mastectomy. To the contrary, preliminary data suggests that older age is emerging as a predictor for improved local and regional control. Conclusions. Preexisting collagen vascular disease is a contraindication for the use of breast-conserving radiation and surgery. Extremes of age must be considered in terms of recommending not so much a specific local regional treatment, but an overall strategy, For the very young patient with breast cancer, more aggressive systemic therapy should be considered in addition to the appropriate local regional therapy. For the elderly, preliminary pilot studies suggest that tamoxifen may play a role in local as well systemic control, perhaps opening the door for future trials examining the need for radiation in selected elderly patients.