Quality of life in elderly breast cancer patients with localized disease receiving endocrine treatment: a prospective study

PurposeIn this paper we study the quality of life (QoL) of elderly breast cancer patients receiving endocrine treatment (ET). More QoL data on elderly patients treated with ET are needed. Our aims are to study QoL in early-stage breast cancer patients throughout the treatment period and compare the QoL of ET groups.Methods148 patients>65years who began ET with either tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitor (AI) completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 and the Interview for Deterioration in Daily Living Activities in Dementia (IDDD) questionnaires three times over 3years of ET. Linear mixed-effect models were used to evaluate longitudinal QoL changes. ET group comparisons were conducted after 3years of treatment via ANCOVA adjusted by basal QoL.ResultsQoL scores were high (>80/100 points) in most QoL areas, with moderate limitations (>30) in sexual functioning and enjoyment and in future perspective. After 3years of ET, four QoL areas improved (<6 points) compared to baseline and 3-month assessments. Hot flushes worsened (8 points) at the 3-month assessment but by 3years had recovered. AI patients showed more hot flushes, pain and diarrhea and less sexual enjoyment than tamoxifen patients after 3years of ET (differences 3-12 points).ConclusionsResults indicate that elderly early-stage breast cancer patients adapted well to their disease and ET treatment over the 3years. Few QoL differences were observed between ET groups.