ABSTRACT
Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of age on local recurrence after BCT (breast-conserving therapy) in patients with breast cancer. Methods: The clinical records of 548 female patients with breast cancer undergoing BCT between January 2000 and December 2007 were analyzed retrospectively, and the follow-up of these patients was performed. The univariable and multivariabe analyses were conducted to evaluate the potiential factors related to local recuurence after BCT. Results: For 548 patients, the recurrence rate within 5 years after BCT accounted for 4.01% (22/548). There were statistical differences in local recurrence rate among different ages (< 45 years vs ≥ 45 years, P = 0.041), tumor sizes (T1 vs T 2 vs T3, P = 0.014) and histologic grades (grades I-II vs grade III, P = 0.003). The multivariable analysis displayed that the factors of younger age (< 45 years, P = 0.013) and higher histologic grade (grade III, P = 0.046) were independent factors in prediction of poor prognosis of breast cancer after BCT. Conclusion: Younger age (< 45 years) is a reasonable justification to consider more aggressive treatment to prevent local recurrence in patients with breast cancer after BCT. Copyright © 2012 by TUMOR.