The impact of geriatric characteristics and comorbidities on distant metastases and other cause mortality in older women with non-metastatic breast cancer treated with primary endocrine therapy.

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, primary surgical treatment of older women with non-metastatic breast cancer has decreased in favor of primary endocrine therapy (PET). PET can be considered in women with a remaining life expectancy of less than five years. The aim of this study was to (1) assess the risk of distant metastases and other cause mortality over ten years in women aged 65 and older with stage I-III breast cancer treated with PET, (2) whether this was associated with geriatric characteristics and comorbidities and to (3) describe the reasons on which the choice for PET was made. METHODS: Women were included from the retrospective FOCUS cohort, which comprises all incident women diagnosed with breast cancer aged 65 or older between January 1997 and December 2004 in the Comprehensive Cancer Center Region West in the Netherlands. We selected women (N = 257) with stage I-III breast cancer and treated with PET from this cohort. Patient characteristics (including comorbidity, polypharmacy, walking, cognitive and sensory impairment), treatment and tumor characteristics were retrospectively extracted from charts. Outcomes were distant metastasis and other cause mortality. Cumulative incidences were calculated using the Cumulative Incidence for Competing Risks method (CICR); and subdistribution hazard ratios (SHR) were tested between groups based on age, geriatric characteristics and comorbidity with the Fine and Gray model. RESULTS: Women treated with PET were on average 84 years old and 41% had one or more geriatric characteristics. Other cause mortality exceeded the cumulative incidence of distant metastasis over ten years (83 versus 5.6%). The risk of dying from another cause further increased in women with geriatric characteristics (SHR 2.06, p < 0.001) or two or more comorbidities (SHR 1.72, p < 0.001). Often the reason for omitting surgery was not recorded (52.9%), but if recorded surgery was omitted mainly at the patient's request (18.7%). DISCUSSION: This study shows that the cumulative incidence of distant metastasis is much lower than other cause mortality in older women with breast cancer treated with PET, especially in the presence of geriatric characteristics or comorbidities. This confirms the importance of assessment of geriatric characteristics to aid counseling of older women.

Efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy for fear of cancer recurrence among cancer survivors: a randomized single-case experimental design.

Background: Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is one of the greatest problems with which cancer survivors have to deal. High levels of FCR are characterized by intrusive thoughts about cancer-related events and re-experiencing these events, avoidance of reminders of cancer, and hypervigilance, similar to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy focuses on these images and memories. It is effective in reducing PTSD and may be effective in reducing high levels of FCR.Objective: The aim of the present study is to investigate the effectiveness of EMDR for severe FCR in breast and colorectal cancer survivors.Method: A multiple-baseline single-case experimental design (n = 8) was used. Daily repeated measurements for FCR were taken during the baseline phase and treatment phase, post-treatment, and at the 3 month follow-up. Participants answered the Cancer Worry Scale (CWS) and the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory, Dutch version (FCRI-NL) five times, i.e. at the start and at the end of each phase (baseline, treatment, post-treatment, and follow-up). The study was prospectively registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NL8223).Results: Visual analysis and effect size calculation by Tau-U were executed for the daily questionnaire on FCR. The weighted average Tau-U score was .63 (p < .01) for baseline versus post-treatment, indicating large change, and .53 (p < .01) between baseline and follow-up, indicating moderate change. The scores on the CWS and FCRI-NL-SF decreased significantly from baseline to follow-up.Conclusion: The results seem promising for EMDR therapy as a potentially effective treatment for FCR. Further research is recommended.

Patients who experience high fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) often have intrusive memories and images about (future) cancer-related events.Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy can focus on these intrusions.EMDR therapy is found to be a promising therapy for patients experiencing high FCR.

Tamoxifen pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in older patients with non-metastatic breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to study the pharmacokinetics and -dynamics of tamoxifen in older women with non-metastatic breast cancer. METHODS: Data for this analysis were derived from the CYPTAM study (NTR1509) database. Patients were stratified by age (age groups < 65 and 65 and older). Steady-state trough concentrations were measured of tamoxifen, N-desmethyltamoxifen, 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen, and endoxifen. CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 phenotypes were assessed for all patients by genotyping. Multiple linear regression models were used to analyze tamoxifen and endoxifen variability. Outcome data included recurrence-free survival at time of tamoxifen discontinuation (RFSt) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: 668 patients were included, 141 (21%) were 65 and older. Demographics and treatment duration were similar across age groups. Older patients had significantly higher concentrations of tamoxifen 129.4 ng/ml (SD 53.7) versus 112.2 ng/ml (SD 42.0) and endoxifen 12.1 ng/ml (SD 6.6) versus 10.7 ng/ml (SD 5.7, p all < 0.05), independently of CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 gene polymorphisms. Age independently explained 5% of the variability of tamoxifen (b = 0.95, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.051) and 0.1% of the variability in endoxifen concentrations (b = 0.45, p = 0.12, R2 = 0.007). Older patients had worse RFSt (5.8 versus 7.3 years, p = 0.01) and worse OS (7.8 years versus 8.7 years, p = 0.01). This was not related to differences in endoxifen concentration (HR 1.0, 95% CI 0.96-1.04, p = 0.84) or CYP polymorphisms. CONCLUSION: Serum concentrations of tamoxifen and its demethylated metabolites are higher in older patients, independent of CYP2D6 or CYP3A4 gene polymorphisms. A higher bioavailability of tamoxifen in older patients may explain the observed differences. However, clinical relevance of these findings is limited and should not lead to a different tamoxifen dose in older patients.

Biomarkers of the ageing immune system and their association with frailty - A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Ageing is associated with several physiological changes, including changes in the immune system. Age-related changes in the innate and adaptive immune system are thought to contribute to frailty. Understanding the immunological determinants of frailty could help to develop and deliver more effective care to older people. This systematic review aims to study the association between biomarkers of the ageing immune system and frailty. METHODS: The search strategy was performed in PubMed and Embase, using the keywords "immunosenescence", "inflammation", "inflammaging" and "frailty". We included studies that investigated the association of biomarkers of the ageing immune system and frailty cross-sectionally in older adults, without an active disease that affects immune parameters. Three independent researchers selected the studies and performed data extraction. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale adapted for cross-sectional studies. RESULTS: A total of 44 studies, with a median number of 184 participants, was included. Study quality was good in 16 (36 %), moderate in 25 (57 %) and poor in 3 (7 %) of studies. The most frequently studied inflammaging biomarkers were IL-6, CRP and TNF-α. Associations with frailty were observed for increased levels of (i) IL-6 in 12 of 24 studies, (ii) CRP in 7 of 19 studies, and (ii) TNF-α in 4 of 13 studies. In none of the other studies were associations observed of frailty with these biomarkers. Different types of T-lymphocyte subpopulations were studied but each subset was studied only once, and the study sample sizes were low. CONCLUSION: Our review of 44 studies on the relation between immune biomarkers and frailty identified IL-6 and CRP as the biomarkers that were most consistently associated with frailty. T-lymphocyte subpopulations were investigated but too infrequently to draw strong conclusions yet, although initial results are promising. Additional studies are required in order to further validate these immune biomarkers in larger cohorts. Furthermore, prospective studies in more uniform settings and larger cohorts are needed to further investigate the association with immune candidate biomarkers for which potential associations with ageing and frailty were previously observed, before these can be used in clinical practice to help assess frailty and improve the care treatments of older patients.

Gene expression signatures in older patients with breast cancer: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Gene expression signatures have emerged to predict prognosis and guide the use of adjuvant therapy in patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the prognostic and predictive value of commercially available gene expression signatures as a tool in adjuvant treatment decision-making in older patients with breast cancer. METHODS: PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Emcare were reviewed for relevant articles published before December 2021. Eligible studies were randomised trials and cohort studies that externally validated commercially available gene expression signatures in patients aged 65 years and older, including studies that presented subanalyses of this age group. Data extraction and risk of bias assessment was performed independently by two investigators. RESULTS: Fifteen studies were included. Most studies investigated Oncotype DX, while results from other gene expression signatures were limited. Several studies underlined the prognostic performance of Oncotype DX and Prosigna Risk of Recurrence in older patients. Moreover, Oncotype DX was predictive for older patients with an intermediate-risk recurrence score; chemotherapy could be spared in both lymph node-positive and lymph node-negative disease. CONCLUSIONS: Prognostic performance has been demonstrated in older patients for several gene expression signatures. However, additional validation in patients with high-risk tumours is needed before gene expression signatures can be implemented in clinical practice as a prediction tool for adjuvant chemotherapy decision-making in the older age group.

Predictive value of selected geriatric parameters for postoperative outcomes in older patients with rectal cancer - A multicenter cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Older patients have a higher risk for complications after rectal cancer surgery. Although screening for geriatric impairments may improve risk prediction in this group, it has not been studied previously. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated patients ≥70 years with elective surgery for non-metastatic rectal cancer between 2014 and 2018 in nine Dutch hospitals. The predictive value of six geriatric parameters in combination with standard preoperative predictors was studied for postoperative complications, delirium, and length of stay (LOS) using logistic regression analyses. The geriatric parameters included the four VMS-questionnaire items pertaining to functional impairment, fall risk, delirium risk, and malnutrition, as well as mobility problems and polypharmacy. Standard predictors included age, sex, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)-classification, comorbidities, tumor stage, and neoadjuvant therapy. Changes in model performance were evaluated by comparing Area Under the Curve (AUC) of the regression models with and without geriatric parameters. RESULTS: We included 575 patients (median age 75 years; 32% female). None of the geriatric parameters improved risk prediction for complications or LOS. The addition of delirium risk to the standard preoperative prediction model improved model performance for predicting postoperative delirium (AUC 0.75 vs 0.65, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Geriatric parameters did not improve risk prediction for postoperative complications or LOS in older patients with rectal cancer. Delirium risk screening using the VMS-questionnaire improved risk prediction for delirium. Older patients undergoing rectal cancer surgery are a pre-selected group with few impairments. Geriatric screening may have additional value earlier in the care pathway before treatment decisions are made.

Predicting postoperative complications and their impact on quality of life and functional status in older patients with breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: The percentage of older patients undergoing surgery for early-stage breast cancer has decreased over the past decade. This study aimed to develop a prediction model for postoperative complications to better inform patients about the benefits and risks of surgery, and to investigate the association between complications and functional status and quality of life (QoL). METHODS: Women aged at least 70 years who underwent surgery for Tis-3 N0 breast cancer were included between 2013 and 2018. The primary outcome was any postoperative complication within 30 days after surgery. Secondary outcomes included functional status and QoL during the first year after surgery, as assessed by the Groningen Activity Restriction Scale and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 questionnaires. A prediction model was developed using multivariable logistic regression and validated externally using data from the British Bridging the Age Gap Study. Linear mixed models were used to assess QoL and functional status over time. RESULTS: The development and validation cohorts included 547 and 2727 women respectively. The prediction model consisted of five predictors (age, polypharmacy, BMI, and type of breast and axillary surgery) and performed well in internal (area under curve (AUC) 0.76, 95 per cent c.i. 0.72 to 0.80) and external (AUC 0.70, 0.68 to 0.72) validations. Functional status and QoL were not affected by postoperative complication after adjustment for confounders. CONCLUSION: This validated prediction model can be used to counsel older patients with breast cancer about the postoperative phase. Postoperative complications did not affect functional status nor QoL within the first year after surgery even after adjustment for predefined confounders.

Surgery remains the standard of care for the majority of older patients with breast cancer. The percentage of older patients with breast cancer receiving surgery is decreasing. The reason for this decline is unknown, but it might be due to fear of complications. To better inform patients about the benefits and risks of surgery, the aim of this study was to develop a prediction model for complications after surgery. Another important aspect, especially for older adults with breast cancer, is quality of life, functional capacity, and ability to carry out daily tasks (functional status) after therapy. This study showed that quality of life and functional status did not decline after breast surgery, irrespective of the occurrence of postoperative complications.

Effect of omission of surgery on survival in patients aged 80 years and older with early-stage hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Surgery is increasingly being omitted in older patients with operable breast cancer in the Netherlands. Although omission of surgery can be considered in frail older patients, it may lead to inferior outcomes in non-frail patients. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of omission of surgery on relative and overall survival in older patients with operable breast cancer. METHODS: Patients aged 80 years or older diagnosed with stage I-II hormone receptor-positive breast cancer between 2003 and 2009 were selected from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. An instrumental variable approach was applied to minimize confounding, using hospital variation in rate of primary surgery. Relative and overall survival was compared between patients treated in hospitals with different rates of surgery. RESULTS: Overall, 6464 patients were included. Relative survival was lower for patients treated in hospitals with lower compared with higher surgical rates (90·2 versus 92·4 per cent respectively after 5 years; 71·6 versus 88·2 per cent after 10 years). The relative excess risk for patients treated in hospitals with lower surgical rates was 2·00 (95 per cent c.i. 1·17 to 3·40). Overall survival rates were also lower among patients treated in hospitals with lower compared with higher surgical rates (48·3 versus 51·3 per cent after 5 years; 15·0 versus 19·7 per cent after 10 years respectively; adjusted hazard ratio 1·07, 95 per cent c.i. 1·00 to 1·14). CONCLUSION: Omission of surgery is associated with worse relative and overall survival in patients aged 80 years or more with stage I-II hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Future research should focus on the effect on quality of life and physical functioning.

ANTECEDENTES: En los Países Bajos cada vez es más frecuente descartar la cirugía en pacientes mayores con cáncer de mama operable. Aunque la omisión de la cirugía puede ser adecuada en pacientes mayores frágiles, ello puede determinar peores resultados en pacientes no frágiles. Por tanto, el objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto de omitir la cirugía en la supervivencia relativa y en la supervivencia global en pacientes mayores con cáncer de mama operable. MÉTODOS: A partir del Registro de Cáncer de los Países Bajos se seleccionaron las pacientes de ≥ 80 años de edad diagnosticadas de cáncer de mama entre 2003-2009 en estadios 1-2 y con receptores hormonales positivos. Se aplicó un método de variables instrumentales para minimizar los factores de confusión utilizando la tasa de variación hospitalaria de la cirugía primaria. Se compararon las supervivencias relativa y global de las pacientes tratadas en hospitales con diferentes tasas de cirugía. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 6.464 pacientes. La supervivencia relativa fue menor en las pacientes tratadas en hospitales con tasas quirúrgicas más bajas en comparación con las tratadas en hospitales con tasas altas (90,2% versus 92,4% a los 5 años y 71,6% versus 88,2% a los 10 años, respectivamente). El exceso de riesgo relativo para las pacientes tratadas en hospitales con tasas quirúrgicas más bajas fue de 2,00 (i.c. del 95% 1,17-3,40). La supervivencia global también fue menor para las pacientes tratadas en hospitales con tasas quirúrgicas más bajas en comparación con las más altas (48,3% versus 51,3% a los 5 años y 15,0% versus 19,7% a los 10 años, respectivamente, cociente de riesgos instantáneos, hazard ratio, HR, ajustado 1,07) i.c. del 95% 1,00-1,14)). CONCLUSIÓN: Omitir la cirugía se asocia con una peor supervivencia relativa y global en pacientes de ≥ 80 años con cáncer de mama en estadios 1-2 y receptores hormonales positivos. Las investigaciones futuras deberían centrarse en el efecto de este enfoque en la calidad de vida y la funcionalidad física.

Time trends of short-term mortality for octogenarians undergoing a colorectal resection in North Europe.

BACKGROUND: Decreased cancer specific survival in older colorectal patients is mainly due to mortality in the first year, emphasizing the importance of the first postoperative year. This study aims to gain an overview and time trends of short-term mortality in octogenarians (≥80 years) with colorectal cancer across four North European countries. METHODS: Patients of 80 years or older, operated for colorectal cancer (stage I-III) between 2005 and 2014, were included. Population-based cohorts from Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden were collected. Separately for colon- and rectal cancer, 30-day, 90-day, one-year, and excess one-year mortality were calculated. Also, short-term mortality over three time periods (2005-2008, 2009-2011, 2012-2014) was analyzed. RESULTS: In total, 35,158 colon cancer patients and 10,144 rectal cancer patients were included. For colon cancer, 90-day mortality rate was highest in Denmark (15%) and lowest in Sweden (8%). For rectal cancer, 90-day mortality rate was highest in Belgium (11%) and lowest in Sweden (7%). One-year excess mortality rate of colon cancer patients decreased from 2005 to 2008 to 2012-2014 for all countries (Belgium: 17%-11%, Denmark: 21%-15%, the Netherlands: 18%-10%, and Sweden: 10%-8%). For rectal cancer, from 2005 to 2008 to 2012-2014 one-year excess mortality rate decreased in the Netherlands from 16% to 7% and Sweden: 8%-2%). CONCLUSIONS: Short-term mortality rates were high in octogenarians operated for colorectal cancer. Short-term mortality rates differ across four North European countries, but decreased over time for both colon and rectal cancer patients in all countries.

Higher ER load is not associated with better outcome in stage 1-3 breast cancer: a descriptive overview of quantitative HR analysis in operable breast cancer.

PURPOSE: In breast cancer, hormone receptor (HR) status is generally a qualitative measure; positive or negative. Quantitatively measured oestrogen and progesterone receptors (ER and PR) are frequently proposed prognostic and predictive markers, some guidelines even provide different treatment options for patients with strong versus weak expression. AIM: To evaluate quantitative HR load assessed by immunohistochemistry as a prognostic and predictive measure in stage 1-3 breast cancer. METHODS: We reviewed all the available literature on quantitatively measured HRs using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: All included studies (n = 19) comprised a cohort of 30,754 patients. Only 2 out of 17 studies found a clear correlation between higher quantitative ER and better disease outcome. Only one trial examined quantitative ER both as prognostic and predictive marker and found no association between ER% and survival. Ten studies examined quantitative PR load, only two of those found a significant correlation between higher PR load and better disease outcome. Two trials examined quantitative PR both as prognostic and predictive marker, neither found any association between PR% and disease outcome. CONCLUSIONS: There is no clear evidence for using quantitatively assessed ER and PR as prognostic nor predictive marker in patients with stage 1-3 breast cancer. We recommend only using a qualitative HR status in future guidelines and treatment considerations.

The Prognostic Value of a Geriatric Risk Score for Older Patients with Colorectal Cancer.

INTRODUCTION: VMS is a Dutch risk assessment tool for hospitalized older adults that includes a short evaluation of four geriatric domains: risk for delirium, risk for undernutrition, risk for physical impairments, and fall risk. We investigated whether the information derived from this tool has prognostic value for outcomes of colorectal surgery. METHODS: All consecutive patients over age 70 years who underwent elective colorectal cancer surgery in three Dutch hospitals (2014-2016) were studied. The presence of risk was scored prior to surgery and per geriatric domain as either 0 (risk absent) or 1 (risk present). The total number of geriatric risk factors was summed. The primary outcome was long-term survival. Secondary outcomes were postoperative complications, including delirium. Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the sumscore and risk factors associated with overall survival. RESULTS: Five hundred fifty patients were included. Median age was 76.5 years, and median follow-up was 870 days. Patients with intermediate (1-2) or high (3-4) sumscore were independently associated with lower overall survival, with hazard ratio (HR) of 1.9 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-3.5; p = 0.03] and 8.7 (95% CI 4.0-19.2; p < 0.001), respectively. Sumscores were also associated with postoperative complications (intermediate sumscore OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.2-2.7; high sumscore OR 2.4; 95% CI 1.02-5.5). CONCLUSIONS: This easy-to-use geriatric sumscore has strong associations with long-term outcome and morbidity after colorectal cancer surgery. This information may be included in risk models for morbidity and mortality and can be used in shared decision-making.

North European comparison of treatment strategy and survival in older patients with resectable gastric cancer: A EURECCA upper gastrointestinal group analysis.

BACKGROUND: As older gastric cancer patients are often excluded from randomized clinical trials, the most appropriate treatment strategy for these patients remains unclear. The current study aimed to gain more insight in treatment strategies and relative survival of older patients with resectable gastric cancer across Europe. METHODS: Population-based cohorts from Belgium, Denmark, The Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden were combined. Patients ≥70 years with resectable gastric cancer (cT1-4a, cN0-2, cM0), diagnosed between 2004 and 2014 were included. Resection rates, administration of chemotherapy (irrespective of surgery), and relative survival within a country according to stage were determined. RESULTS: Overall, 6698 patients were included. The percentage of operated patients was highest in Belgium and lowest in Sweden for both stage II (74% versus 56%) and stage III disease (57% versus 25%). For stage III, chemotherapy administration was highest in Belgium (44%) and lowest in Sweden (2%). Three year relative survival for stage I, II, and III disease in Belgium was 67.8% (95% CI:62.8-72.6), 41.2% (95% CI:37.3-45.2), 17.8% (95% CI:12.5-24.0), compared with 56.7% (95% CI:51.5-61.7), 31.3% (95% CI:27.6-35.2), 8.2% (95% CI:4.4-13.4) in Sweden. There were no significant differences in treatment strategies of patients with stage I disease. CONCLUSION: Substantial treatment differences are observed across North European countries for patients with stages II and III resectable gastric cancer aged 70 years or older. In the present comparison, treatment strategies with a higher proportion of patients undergoing surgery seemed to be associated with higher survival rates for patients with stages II or III disease.

Comprehensive multidisciplinary care program for elderly colorectal cancer patients: "From prehabilitation to independence".

BACKGROUND: We implemented a multidisciplinary pre- and rehabilitation program for elderly patients (≥75 years of age) in a single center consisting of prehabilitation, laparoscopic surgery and early rehabilitation with the intention to lower 1-year overall mortality. METHODS: In this study we compared all patients that underwent elective surgery for stage I-III colorectal cancer before and during development and after implementation of the program (2010-2011, 2012-2013 and 2014-2015). Primary endpoint was 1-year overall mortality, the secondary endpoint was 30-day postoperative outcome. RESULTS: Eighty-six consecutive patients were included in the study cohort and compared to 63 patients from 2010 to 2011 and 75 patients from 2012 to 2013. Patient characteristics were comparable; median age in the study cohort was 80.6. Seventy-three patients (85%) participated in the program, 54 (63%) of whom followed a prehabilitation program, 46 (53%) of whom were discharged to a rehabilitation center. Laparoscopic surgery increased over the years from 70% to 83% in the study cohort. There was a trend in lower 1-year overall mortality: 11% versus 3% (p=0.08). There was a significant reduction in cardiac complications and the number of patients with a prolonged length of stay (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Multidisciplinary care for elderly colorectal cancer patients that includes prehabilitation and rehabilitation is feasible and may contribute to lower complications and reduced length of stay. This study did not show a clear benefit of implementing a comprehensive care program including both prehabilitation and rehabilitation. Dedicated multidisciplinary care seems the key attributer to favorable outcomes of CRC surgery in elderly patients.

Adjuvant dose-dense doxorubicin-cyclophosphamide versus docetaxel-doxorubicin-cyclophosphamide for high-risk breast cancer: First results of the randomised MATADOR trial (BOOG 2004-04).

BACKGROUND: Dose-dense administration of chemotherapy and the addition of taxanes to anthracycline-based adjuvant chemotherapy have improved breast cancer survival substantially. However, clinical trials directly comparing the additive value of taxanes with dose-dense anthracycline-based chemotherapy are lacking. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the multicentre, randomised, biomarker discovery Microarray Analysis in breast cancer to Tailor Adjuvant Drugs Or Regimens (MATADOR) trial, patients with pT1-3, pN0-3 breast cancer were randomised (1:1) between six adjuvant cycles of doxorubicin 60 mg/m2 and cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2 every 2 weeks (ddAC) and six cycles of docetaxel 75 mg/m2, doxorubicin 50 mg/m2 and cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2 every 3 weeks (TAC). The primary objective was to discover a predictive gene expression profile for ddAC and TAC benefit. Here we report the preplanned secondary end-point recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Between 2004 and 2012, 664 patients were randomised. At 5 years, RFS was 87% (95% confidence interval [CI] 83%-91%) in the ddAC-treated patients and 88% (84-92%) in the TAC-treated subgroup (hazard ratio [HR] 0.89, 95% CI 0.62-1.28, P = 0.53). OS at 5 years was 93% (90%-96%) in the ddAC-treated and 94% (91%-97%) in the TAC-treated patients (HR 0.89, 95% CI 0.57-1.39, P = 0.61). Anaemia was more frequent in ddAC-treated patients (62/327 patients [18.9%] versus 15/319 patients [4.7%], P < 0.001) and diarrhoea (21 [6.4%] versus 53 [16.6%], P<0.001) and peripheral neuropathy (15 [4.6%] versus 46 [14.4%], P < 0.001) were observed more often in TAC-treated patients. CONCLUSIONS: With a median follow-up of 7 years, no significant differences in RFS and OS were observed between six adjuvant cycles of ddAC and TAC in high-risk breast cancer patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS: ISRCTN61893718 and BOOG 2004-04.

Impact of age on breast cancer mortality and competing causes of death at 10 years follow-up in the adjuvant TEAM trial.

AIM: Due to increasing life expectancy, patients with breast cancer remain at risk of dying due to breast cancer over a long time. This study aims to assess the impact of age on breast cancer mortality and other cause mortality 10 years after diagnosis. METHODS: Postmenopausal patients with hormone-receptor positive breast cancer were included in the Tamoxifen and Exemestane Adjuvant Multinational (TEAM) trial between 2001 and 2006. Age at diagnosis was categorised as <65 years (n = 3369), 65-74 years (n = 1896) and ≥75 years (n = 854). Breast cancer mortality was assessed considering other cause mortality as competing event using competing risk analysis. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 9.8 years (interquartile range 8.0-10.3), cumulative incidence of breast cancer mortality increased with increasing age (age <65 years, 11.7% [95% confidence interval {CI}: 10.2-13.2]; 65-74 years, 12.7% (11.2-14.2) and ≥75 years, 15.6% (13.1-18.0)). Univariate subdistribution hazard ratio (sHR) increased with increasing age (age: 65-74 years, sHR: 1.08, 95% CI: 0.92-1.27 and ≥75 years sHR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.06-1.58, P = 0.013). Multivariable sHR adjusted for tumour and treatment characteristics increased with age but did not reach significance (age 65-74 years, sHR: 1.11, 95% CI: 0.94-1.31; ≥75 years, sHR: 1.18, 95% CI: 0.94-1.48, P = 0.055). CONCLUSION: Ten years after diagnosis, older age at diagnosis is associated with increasing breast cancer mortality in univariate analysis, but it did not reach significance in multivariable analysis. This is not outweighed by a substantially higher other cause mortality with older age. This underlines the need to improve the balance between undertreatment and overtreatment in older patients with breast cancer. The trial was registered in International Trial Databases (ClinicalTrials.govNCT00279448, NCT00032136, and NCT00036270; the Netherlands Trial Registry NTR267).

Treatment and outcome of elderly patients with advanced stage ovarian cancer: A nationwide analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To provide an overview of treatment strategies for elderly patients with advanced stage epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) in daily practice, evaluate changes over time and relate this to surgical mortality and survival. METHODS: All women diagnosed with advanced stage (FIGO IIB and higher) EOC between 2002 and 2013 were selected from the Netherlands Cancer Registry (n=10,440) and stratified by age, stage and period of diagnosis. Elderly patients were defined as aged ≥70years. Time trends in treatment patterns and postoperative mortality were described by age category and tested using multivariable logistic regression. Relative survival was calculated. RESULTS: With advancing age, less patients received ((neo-)adjuvant) treatment. Over time, elderly patients were less often treated (OR 2002-2004 versus 2011-2013: 0.73; 95%CI:0.58-0.92). But if treated, more often standard treatment was provided and 30-day postoperative mortality decreased from 4.5% to 1.9% between 2005 and 2007 and 2011-2013. In all age categories treatment shifted from primary surgery towards primary chemotherapy, in patients aged 70-79years combination therapy increased (+5%) between 2002 and 2004 and 2011-2013. Five-year relative survival for patients diagnosed in 2008-2010 aged <70years was 34% compared to 18% for elderly patients. CONCLUSION: Large treatment differences exist between younger and elderly patients. Over time, selection of elderly patients eligible for curative surgical treatment may have improved. More elderly patients were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy while less patients underwent surgery and simultaneously postoperative mortality decreased. However, the large and increasing number of elderly patients without treatment and the large survival gap suggests opportunities for further improvements in the care for elderly EOC patients.

Primary Endocrine Therapy in Older Women with Breast Cancer.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Breast cancer incidence increases with age. In recent years, primary endocrine therapy has been increasingly used as a treatment option for frail elderly women with breast cancer, although surgery is still the guideline-recommended treatment. In this review, we discuss the evidence for primary endocrine therapy versus surgical treatment in older women with early breast cancer. RECENT FINDINGS: Both randomised controlled trials and recent observational studies showed a favourable progression-free survival but not overall survival for surgery plus adjuvant endocrine therapy versus primary endocrine therapy. Information about quality of life with either treatment strategy is so far lacking. Deciding who is fit for surgery and has sufficiently long life expectation to be at risk of disease progression can be supported by performing an individual geriatric assessment. SUMMARY: This review suggests that primary endocrine therapy is a reasonable alternative to primary surgery in frail older women with breast cancer. Future studies should focus on the long-term effects on quality of life and physical functioning.

The effect of a geriatric evaluation on treatment decisions for older patients with colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Treating elderly colorectal cancer patients can be challenging. It is very important to carefully weigh the risks and benefits of potential treatments in individual patients. This treatment decision making can be guided by geriatric consultation. Our aim was to assess the effect of a geriatric evaluation on treatment decisions for older patients with colorectal cancer. METHODS: Colorectal cancer patients who were referred for a geriatric consultation between 2013 and 2015 in three Dutch teaching hospitals were included in a prospective database. The outcome of geriatric assessment, non-oncological interventions and geriatricians' treatment recommendations were evaluated. RESULTS: The total number of included referrals was 168. The median age was 81 years (range 60-94). Most patients (71%) had colon cancer and 49% had tumour stage III disease. The reason for geriatric consultation was uncertainty regarding the optimal oncologic treatment in 139 patients (83%). Overall 93% of patients suffered from geriatric impairments; non-oncological interventions that followed after geriatric consultation was mostly aimed at malnutrition. The geriatrician recommended the 'more intensive treatment' option in 69% and the 'less intensive treatment' option in 31% of which 63% 'supportive care only'. CONCLUSION: Geriatric consultation can be useful in treatment decision making in elderly patients with colorectal cancer. It may lead to changes in the treatment plan for individual cases and may result in an additional optimisation of patient's health status prior to treatment.

Administration of adjuvant chemotherapy in older patients with Stage III colon cancer: an observational study.

AIM: According to established guidelines, patients with Stage III colon cancer should receive adjuvant chemotherapy. However, a significant proportion do not. This study assessed factors associated with the administration of adjuvant chemotherapy and causes of death. METHODS: Patients with Stage III colon cancer who underwent surgery between 2000 and 2009 were selected from two hospitals in the Netherlands. Patient characteristics including comorbidities and treatment preferences, tumour characteristics and follow-up were extracted from the medical records. The patient and tumour characteristics of patients who did receive chemotherapy were compared with those who did not using chi-squared analysis. Differences between the groups in causes of death were recorded together with the duration of follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 348 patients were included. The median age was 73 years (range 33-93). Over half of the patients received adjuvant chemotherapy (50.6%). Patients who did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy were significantly older (P < 0.001), had more comorbidities (P < 0.001) and were more often living alone (P < 0.001). Patients who received no adjuvant chemotherapy had a reduced overall survival, and the cause of death was more often attributed to other causes (60%) than colon cancer (40%). For patients who received chemotherapy, the cause of death was usually attributed to colon cancer (71%). CONCLUSION: Patients who did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy had a worse overall survival and the majority died due to other causes than colon cancer. In our aging society it will become even more important to develop tools to estimate remaining life expectancy in order to improve the selection of older patients for adjuvant treatments.

The difference in association between aspirin use and other thrombocyte aggregation inhibitors and survival in patients with colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have suggested that the association between aspirin and improved cancer survival is mediated through the mechanism of aspirin as thrombocyte aggregation inhibitors (TAI). The aim of this study was to provide epidemiological evidence for this mechanism assessing the association between overall survival and the use of aspirin and non-aspirin TAI in patients with colorectal cancer. METHODS: In this observational study, data from the Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation were linked to PHARMO Database Network. Patients using aspirin or aspirin in combination with non-aspirin TAI (dual users) were selected and compared with non-users. The association between overall survival and the use of (non-)aspirin TAI was analysed using Cox regression models with the use of (non-)aspirin TAI as a time-varying covariate. RESULTS: In total, 9196 patients were identified with colorectal cancer and 1766 patients used TAI after diagnosis. Non-aspirin TAI were mostly clopidogrel and dipyridamole. Aspirin use was associated with a significant increased overall survival and hazard ratio (HR) 0.41 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.37-0.47), and the use of non-aspirin TAI was not associated with survival of HR 0.92 (95% CI 0.70-1.22). Dual users did not have an improved overall survival when compared with patients using solely aspirin. CONCLUSIONS: Aspirin use after diagnosis of colorectal cancer was associated with significantly lower mortality rates and this effect remained significant after adjusting for potential confounders. No additional survival benefit was observed in patients using both aspirin and another TAI.