Relations of Disease-Free Survival and Overall Survival With Age and Primary Metastases in Patients With Breast Cancer



Mokarian F¹ ; Mokarian S² ; Ramezani A³
Source: Journal of Isfahan Medical School Published:2013

Abstract

Background: According to available data, breast cancer occurs about a decade earlier in Iranian women than among the world's population. This issue magnifies the importance of screening for the disease. Screening will enhance both disease-free survival and overall survival. We assessed the relations of age and primary metastases with disease-free survival and overall survival in patients with breast cancer in Isfahan, Iran. Methods: This retrospective analytic study was conducted during 1998-2009. The study population included women with confirmed breast cancer who had referred to offices of oncologists or Seyed-Al--Shohada Hospital (Isfahan, Iran). Cancer was staged according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) classification. The patients' information was collected from their files and analyzed. Findings: We followed up patients with breast cancer for over 10 years. The mean age of subjects was 47.9 ± 11.08 years at the time of diagnosis. Disease-free survival was 95 months in patients younger than 40 years of age and 113 months in those above 50 years old. Primary metastases decreased overall survival by 20 months. Conclusion: As expected, the incidence of breast cancer at younger age was found to be associated with decreased disease-free survival and overall survival. As early diagnosis of the disease prevents primary metastases, appropriate screening is of utmost importance.