Analysis of the Survival Rate for Young Patients with Breast Cancer

Objective To study the changes in survival and the relative clinical factors in two cohorts of young patients with breast cancer(≤ 35-year-old) between 1980～1984(1980s) and 1994～1996(1990s).Methods The data of 179 patients with primary breast cancer(≤ 35-year-old) were analyzed retrospectively.The patients were followed for 5 years with a follow-up rate of 100.0%.The survival rate in two cohorts was compared and the influence of the clinicopathological factors on survival was analyzed.Results The 5-year survival rate in 1980s and 1990s were 59.8%(52/87),78.3%(72/92),respectively,and the 5-year disease-free survival rate were 51.7%(45/87) and 75.0%(69/92),which were significantly different(P0.01).The proportion of stage Ⅰ、Ⅱand node-negative in 1990s was higher than that in 1980s(79.4% VS 60.9%,P0.01 and 59.8% VS 42.5%,P0.05).The patients with stage Ⅰ、Ⅱhad a better survival rate.The rates of breast-conserving therapy increased dramatically in 1990s(P0.01).Conclusion The survival rate for young patients with breast cancer has significantly improved in 1990s.Extended operations do not benefit the survival.The improvement of survival is mostly based on early diagnosis and treatment.