[Systemic chemotherapy of early breast cancer (author's transl)]

The management of early cancer of the female breast still remains an unsolved problem. Current information on the spread of the disease indicates that metastases are present in one quarter of the patients even if thorough clinical investigation reveals local tumor invasion only. There is no substantial evidence that unproved surgical or radiotherapeutical procedures in the future might improve cure rates. Cytostatic chemotherapy given early in the course of the disease, i.e. following surgery of a primary breast cancer, therefore, has been advocated. Arguments pro and con postoperative chemotherapy are discussed.