A comparative study of the clinical characteristics of breast cancer patients less than 35 years old and older patients

Abstract

Purpose In Korea, the incidence of breast cancer peaks in the fifth decade, which is younger than that observed in the Western world. We conducted this study to compare the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of breast cancer in women 35 years old. Postoperative radiotherapy was statistically effective in patients aged <35 and ≥35 years old that underwent breast-conserving surgery. Pregnancy were significantly associated with survival in younger patients. While lymph node stage, presence of progesterone receptor, and triple negative status were significantly associated with survival on older patients. Conclusion The prognostic factors of breast cancer in patients younger than 35 years old were pregnancy. Triple negative status rate was higher in younger patients than in older patients. Adjuvant therapy had similar effects in patients aged <35 or ≥35 years old.

Keywords

• breast neoplasms
• prognosis
• young adult