Age and stage at diagnosis influence the disease status at death in non-metastatic breast cancer

The effects of age and stage on disease status at time of death (outcome), and on overall survival time were investigated in 491 patients who presented with either early or locally advanced non-metastatic breast cancer and for whom information at death was complete. Stage and age had a significant influence on death without metastatic disease (cured state). In each stage category elderly patients (> 70 years) succumbed more often in a cured state. They developed significantly fewer systemic metastases in both stage categories. Overall survival was significantly shorter for elderly patients in the early stage category only. At 3, 5 and 10-year intervals during follow-up, significantly more elderly patients died without the presence of systemic metastatic disease in both stage categories. Concomitant diseases therefore caused deaths in a substantial number of elderly patients and prevented them from developing systemic metastases. This finding explains the higher ‘cure’ rates for elderly patients in both stage categories. A shorter overall survival period for elderly patients in the early stage category most probably contributed to their higher ‘cure’ rates.