Combination Chemotherapy Compared With Mitoxantrone in Treating Older Patients With Advanced Breast Cancer

Inclusion Criteria

• •DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven, progressive, recurrent or metastatic breast cancer in patients over 70 years of age Measurable or evaluable disease required, including: Lesions of the mediastinum, retroperitoneum, or liver at least 3 cm in diameter on CT scan or ultrasound The following are not considered measurable or evaluable: Lymphedema Hilar enlargement Pleural effusion Ascites Bone marrow infiltration Osteoblastic skeletal lesion No CNS metastases Hormone receptor status: Not specified
• •PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Over 70 Sex: Not specified Menopausal status: Postmenopausal Performance status: WHO 0-2 Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,000 Platelets at least 100,000 Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 1.4 mg/dL (25 micromoles/L) Renal: Creatinine clearance (calculated) greater than 50 mL/min in patients weighing at least 45 kg and measured creatinine clearance at least 50 mL/min in patients weighing less than 45 kg Cardiovascular: No congestive heart failure No myocardial infarction within 6 months No severe arrhythmia No complete bundle branch block Other: No active uncontrolled infection No mental disorders that may preclude patient follow-up No second malignancy except: Adequately treated basal cell carcinoma of the skin Adequately treated in situ carcinoma of the cervix
• •PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: No prior chemotherapy for advanced disease At least 1 year since prior adjuvant chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior estrogens, androgens, and progestins Tamoxifen or aminoglutethimide allowed with no waiting period if disease progresses Recovery from prior hormonal therapy for metastatic disease required Radiotherapy: Prior radiotherapy allowed provided: Evaluable disease exists outside of treatment field No greater than 50% of bone marrow was irradiated Surgery: Not specified