The primary management of breast cancer: is breast conservation feasible for all patients?

A consecutive series of 411 patients with primary breast cancer treated by a consistent policy of breast conservation, regardless of tumour size, location, clinical stage or histological subtype, is reported. Actuarial 5-year survival was 84% for UICC Stage I, 73% for Stage II and 47% for Stage III/IV. The incidence of local recurrence at 5 years was 13% for Stage I, 12% for Stage II, and 26% for Stage III/IV. The probability of salvage mastectomy at 5 years was 5% for Stage I, 8% for Stage II, and 15% for Stage III/IV. Of local recurrences, 40% were managed with further breast conservation. Primary treatment with breast conservation results in satisfactory local control rates, 5-year survival and cosmesis, but the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of local recurrence within the conserved breast requires further evaluation.