Breast-conserving surgery: how much is enough?

Breast-conserving operations for the treatment of small, apparently localized invasive breast cancer are now accepted by most surgeons. Still controversial are (1) the size of the primary tumor selected for breast conservation treatment, (2) how much breast tissue must be removed to provide an "adequate" margin to achieve local control, and (3) whether the entire breast needs to be treated by radiation therapy in all patients after adequate partial mastectomy. The results of breast-conserving operations at the Cleveland Clinic are presented and the case for selected, individualized therapy utilizing partial mastectomy without radiation therapy for selected patients with small invasive cancers is made.