Management of early-stage breast cancer (EBC) in older adults: special considerations for decreasing morbidity and improving outcomes

Breast cancer is by nature a geriatric condition with the median age of diagnosis at 65 years old. Older adults represent a heterogeneous population with a large difference in comorbidity burden, functional status, and psychosocial factors. Breast cancer in the older adult poses a multifaceted challenge within the landscape of oncology, reflecting the intersection of age-related complexities and the intricacies of breast cancer pathology and treatment. As the population ages globally, there is a pressing need to understand the unique aspects of breast cancer presentation, diagnosis, and management in older individuals. This review aims to comprehensively explore the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, treatment modalities, and outcomes specific to early-stage breast cancer (EBC) in older adults and discuss important considerations essential for optimizing care in this population.