Are We RESPECTing Older Patients With Breast Cancer?
Mené sur 275 patientes atteintes d'un cancer du sein HER2+ de stade précoce (âge moyen : 73,5 ans), cet essai randomisé évalue l'efficacité, du point de vue de la survie sans maladie, de la survie sans récidive, et la toxicité du trastuzumab, dispensé en monothérapie ou en combinaison avec une chimiothérapie en traitement adjuvant (durée moyenne de suivi : 4,1 ans)
A shift has occurred in the demographics of patients with cancer, with oncology providers caring for increasing numbers of older patients. In the United States, an estimated 31% of breast cancers (BC) are diagnosed in patients who are age 70 years or older.1 Older patients differ from their younger counterparts in several aspects, including in the frequency and number of comorbidities, regular use of medications, possible limitation to independent function, and, critically, personal priorities when making decisions regarding treatment.2 As a result of comorbidities, older patients may have a shorter expected survival time and/or poor quality of life (QoL) that should be considered when discussing treatment.3 In addition, the impact of therapy on comorbidities and functionality should be carefully considered: Some older patients might choose to maintain their present independence, not compromised by potentially toxic treatment, over a greater chance of being alive in 5 to 10 years. (...)
Journal of Clinical Oncology , éditorial, 2019