Turkish Journal of
GERIATRICS

Hacettepe Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Genel Cerrahi Ana Bilim Dalı-Ankara Breast cancer is the most commonly seen malign neoplasm among women. Although the incidence of breast carcinoma increases with age, there are limited prospective clinical studies about the diagnosis and treatment of breast carcinoma in elderly. The presentation of breast disorders in elderly population is somewhat different from young women. Breast mass and mastalgia are the most common presenting symptoms in this age group. Regardless from their presenting symptoms, the need for diagnostic biopsy is significantly increased. Mammography is still the gold standard diagnostic test for early diagnosis and treatment of breast carcinoma in elderly patients. Annual physical examination of the breast and mammography every other year is the recommended screening program for women older that 65 years. Although the medical and surgical management of breast carcinoma in elderly women has little differences, concomitant diseases can preclude optimum treatment. From this reason, the types of surgical treatment have to be decided not only according to the tumour stage but the medical status of the patient as well. Chemotherapy and radiation therapies have to be also individualized according to the patients' medical condition. Keywords : Breast carcinoma, Age, Aging, Surgical treatment, Concomittant diseases