Early Stage Breast Cancer in Older Women: Predictors and Outcomes of Therapy
Abstract
The goal of this study was to investigate outcomes associated with different breast cancer treatments in a population-based observational cohort of women aged 65 and older who had undergone surgical treatment for early stage breast cancer. SEER tumor registry records, and linked Medicare claims were used to conduct this work. We have developed an algorithm for using the Medicare claims data to identify SEER early stage breast cancer subjects who underwent surgical therapy. The sensitivity of the algorithm is about 88%, and the specificity is greater than 99.9%. Additionally, we have explored the relationship between appropriateness of primary therapy for early stage breast cancer, and increased use of breast conserving surgery. We have described additional determinants of the use of breast conserving surgery. We have determined that older women undergoing breast conserving surgery without radiotherapy are at elevated risk for requiring treatment for disease recurrence, as are younger women. Also, older women who received neither axillary lymph node dissection nor radiotherapy were found to be at significantly higher risk of death, after accounting for potential confounders of age, tumor size, and comorbid conditions. The quality of care for older women with breast cancer continues to offer opportunities for improvement.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADB282838
Entities
People
- Ann B. Nattinger
Organizations
- Medical College of Wisconsin