World journal of surgery
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World journal of surgery · Feb 2003
Limited surgery and tamoxifen in the treatment of elderly breast cancer patients.
A conservative approach to treating breast cancer patients was adopted for those more than 70 years of age with T1-3 and small localized T4b N0-1 lesions. It consists of tumor excision or simple mastectomy with adjuvant tamoxifen. From the prospective breast cancer database, patients 70 years or older at the time of diagnosis were identified for the period January 1990 to December 1996. ⋯ The cumulative disease-specific, overall, and disease-free survival at 5 years is 86%, 64% and 46%, respectively. Tumor excision or simple mastectomy with tamoxifen offers sufficient tumor control for elderly patients. Axillary dissection and breast or chest wall radiotherapy can safely be omitted, thereby greatly reducing health care resource utilization.
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We designed a prospective study to assess the contributing factors in puerperal breast abscess and to evaluate the treatment options. During the 4-year study period, 128 nursing women with breast infection were followed. Of these, 102 had mastitis (80%) and 26 had breast abscess (20%). ⋯ Delayed treatment of mastitis can lead to abscess formation, and it can be prevented by early antibiotic therapy. Ultrasonography is helpful for detecting abscess formation. In selected cases the abscess can be drained with needle aspiration with excellent cosmesis.