[Current therapeutic strategies in breast cancer]

In the last 20 years the general and operative treatment of breast cancer has changed to a large extent. The super-radical Rotter-Halstedt operation of breast cancer is past history, and also the modified radical mastectomy (Patey) is performed in fewer cases. The ablative operative therapy of breast cancer is replaced more and more by a breast-conserving operative treatment with the combination of an adjuvant local and general therapy. Adjuvant therapy is mainly understood as a hormonal treatment or polychemotherapy. A great number of randomized studies proves the efficiency of this therapeutic strategy.