Tumour grade on core biopsy and evidence of axillary involvement on ultrasound predicts response in elderly co-morbid patients treated with primary hormone therapy for oestrogen receptor positive breast carcinoma

摘要

Introduction: Treatment of women with oestrogen-receptor positive breast cancer who are high risk for general anaesthetic remains controversial. Current guidance is based on studies pre-dating aromatase inhibitors (AIs) which may have also included hormone-receptor negative patients. Such studies have demonstrated improved disease-free survival and local disease control following surgery when compared with primary hormone therapy (PHT) alone. However uncertainty persists regarding benefit of surgery over optimal hormone treatment in patients with significant co-morbidity.