Age-related differences in patients with nonpalpable breast carcinomas

Abstract

Mammographically detected lesions in younger women are typified by a higher incidence of DCIS or tumors with an intraductal component. Nonpalpable invasive carcinomas in women < or = 50 years and > 50 years appear to be biologically similar by virtue of axillary lymph node status, although estrogen receptor positive tumors are more common in older patients. These age-related differences may partially account for age-related variations in the survival impact of mammographic screening programs.