Improving treatment outcomes in older patients with breast cancer

Abstract

Overall, the main objective of this thesis is to gain further insight in relevant outcome measures for older patients after breast cancer treatment. The specific aims of this thesis are threefold. First, to improve breast cancer care for the older population by identifying patients who are likely to develop postoperative complications and side effects of therapy. Secondly, to investigate long-term effects of breast cancer treatment on quality of life and physical and psychological functioning. Third, to illustrate treatment patterns and survival of patients with HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer in different age groups over time.