Radiation therapy for treatment of intraductal carcinoma of the breast.

From 1979 to 1981, 14 patients with intraductal (noninvasive) carcinoma of the breast were treated with radiation therapy as an alternative to mastectomy. All patients received external irradiation to the entire breast; in addition, four patients were given a local boost with interstitial Iridium 192. Median follow-up is 23.5 months, with a range of 7-45 months. Twelve of 14 patients remain free of disease. The cosmetic results have been excellent.