OBJECTIVETo summarize the clinical and ultrasonic features of breast cancer in women aged 80 and older.

METHODSA total of 60 patients (62 lesions) aged 80 and older with pathologically confirmed breast cancer from September 1993 to October 2012 were enrolled in this study and their clinical manifestations, ultrasonic features, therapeutic methods, and prognoses were analyzed.

RESULTSMost patients (83.3%) went to see a doctor because of nodules touched by themselves. The average diameter of the carcinoma was (2.4±1.1)cm. Most tumors (75.8%) were invasive ductal carcinomas, followed by the mucinous carcinoma (11.3%). Among the 45 lesions with ultrasound records, 40 (88.9%) were irregular in morphology; the aspect ratio of 35 lesions (77.8%) was less than 1;24 lesions (53.3%) had indistinct boundary;calcification existed in 21 lesions (46.7%); and 16 lesions (35.6%) had rear echo attenuation. The preoperative diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography was 93.5%. In addition, 45 patients (75.0%) underwent breast tumor extended resection, 13 (21.7%) received modified radical mastectomy, 2 patients (3.3%) underwent simple breast resection. No death was noted during the operation and there was no major peri-operative complications. Of 31 patients with complete follow-up records, 7 had recurrence or metastasis and 1 died of heart disease.

CONCLUSIONSMost breast cancers in women older than 80 years are relatively large, with typical ultrasonic features. The preoperative diagnosis is often accurate. Few lymphatic metastases exist, and the prognosis is good. Conservative surgeries are preferred for these elderly patients.