OBJECTIVE: To establish the behavior of breast cancer in women over 70 years. PLACE: Gynecologic Oncology National Hospital Edgardo Rebagliati Martins EsSalud. DESIGN: Retrospective study of 809 cases between 1990 and 1995. RESULTS: Of the 809 cases, 126 (15.5%) were patients over 70 years with a mean age of 76.1 years. The rate at these ages has increased over time. The average menarche in this group was 13.1 years and 45.7 years menopause. The third had no children and that 42% did not gestated breastfeeding. Only 3% hormones used in the past. The third party submitted a history of breast cancer in the family. 50% had other intercurrent diseases, especially hypertension in 44%, and 8% had a history of another cancer. The most common clinical stage was the IIA (44%), and treatment was administered mainly radical mastectomy (66%). Infiltrating ductal cancer occurred in 72%. There were 21...