Management of breast cancer: past, present, future

The historical management of breast cancer leading up to the Halsted era is reviewed. Radical mastectomy is examined and evaluated in the light of cancer staging, and different modes of treatment are discussed. The question of what type of surgery and adjuvant therapy is best for each patient is not fully answered and awaits further study and clinical trials. The future promises an immunobiologic approach in the treatment of breast cancer in addition to early operation.