Pathological complete response in younger and older breast cancer patients.

Introduction: Pathologic complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant systemic treatment for inoperable locally advanced breast cancer is defined as complete microscopic disappearance of invasive cancer in both the breast and axilla in the postoperative specimen. The aim of the study was to characterize the groups of younger (≤ 40 years old) and older (≥ 70 years old) breast cancer patients who achieved a pCR.

Material And Methods: One hundred thirty-eight consecutive patients aged between 30 and 78 years with locally advanced breast cancer, operated on after neoadjuvant systemic treatment between November 2007 and June 2010, were analyzed.