[Selection criteria for breast conservation in patients with early breast carcinoma]

During the past two decades, breast-conserving therapy (excision of the tumor and axillary lymphadenectomy followed by irradiation) for early stage breast carcinoma has become firmly established as an equivalent treatment approach to mastectomy. The purpose of this review as to examine the risk factors for local recurrence after breast-conserving therapy. Better mammographic evaluation, better margin assessment, recognition of an extensive intraductal component and the use of adjuvant systemic therapy has improved the logo-regional control.