Causes of death of the patients with breast cancer diagnosed and treated at the Erasto Gaertner Hospital from 1995 to 1999

retrospective study

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer is the second most frequent neoplasm and the main cause of women’s death. It is expected that with the increase in early diagnosis other reasons than breast cancer will determine the patient’s death. The objective of this study was to verify the causes of death of patients treated for breast cancer at Erasto Gaertner Hospital, and related the risk factors such as; staging, age, Diabetes Mellitus (DM), and Arterial Hypertension to the main causes of the deaths found. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted through the review of medical records of patients diagnosed between 1995 and 1999, who received treatment at our Institution and died before September 2008. Data related to the patient was collected – patient´s age at diagnosis, staging, the existence of comorbidities and cause of death. Results: 393 patients died, the mean age at diagnosis was 53.8 years. In 30% of the cases the cause of death was not defined. Among the causes of death, disease progression at distant sites was responsible for 87% of deaths, followed by cardiovascular diseases (6%) and by other kinds of neoplasm (2.5%). Conclusion: The main cause of mortality observed was the progression of the disease at distance, especially in patients in advanced stages. It was observed on patients who were early diagnosed a significant number of deaths from cardiovascular diseases. The presence of hypertension, DM and age higher than 60 years were considered risk factors for other causes of death apart from breast cancer.