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. 2011:2011:534256.
doi: 10.4061/2011/534256. Epub 2010 Oct 4.

Biological characteristics and medical treatment of breast cancer in young women-a featured population: results from the NORA study

P Pronzato  1 , G Mustacchi, A De Matteis, F Di Costanzo, E Rulli, I Floriani, M E Cazzaniga
Affiliations

Biological characteristics and medical treatment of breast cancer in young women-a featured population: results from the NORA study

P Pronzato et al. Int J Breast Cancer. 2011.

Abstract

Background: The present paper described the biological characteristics and clinical behavior of young women in the cohort NORA study

Patients and methods: From 2000-2002, patients (N > 3500) were enrolled at 77 Italian hospitals. Women aged ≤50 years (N = 1013) were stratified into age groups (≤35, 36-40, 41-45, and 46-50 years). The relationship between age and patient characteristics, cancer presentation, and treatment was analyzed.

Results: Younger women more frequently had tumors with ER/PgR-negative(χ(2) = 7.07; P = .008), HER2 amplification (χ(2) = 5.76; P = .01), and high (≥10%) Ki67 labelling index (χ(2) = 9.53; P = .002). Positive nodal status, large tumors, and elevated Ki67 all associated with the choice for chemotherapy followed by endocrine therapy in hormone receptor-positive patients (P < .0001). At univariate analysis, ER-ve status, chemotherapy and age resulted as the only statistically significant variables (HR = 2.02, P = .004, and >40 versus ≤40, P < .0001, resp.). At multivariate analysis, after adjustment for significant clinical and pathological factors, age remains a significant prognostic variable (HR = 0.93, P = .0021). CONCLUSION. This cohort study suggests that age per sè is an important prognostic factor. The restricted role of early diagnosis and the aggressive behavior of cancer in this population make necessary the application of targeted medical strategies crucial.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(a) Disease-free survival (DFS), and (b) overall survival (OS) according to age group.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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