[Modified radical mastectomy in the treatment of stage III breast carcinoma]

From 1972 to 1982, 237 patients with stage III breast carcinoma were admitted into our institute. One hundred and eleven cases underwent Auchincloss and Madden modified radical mastectomy (MRM), and the remaining 126 cases received Halsted radical mastectomy (RM). The 5 and 10 years survival rates were 59.17% (61/111), and 36.92% (24/65) in MRM group. The 5 and 10 years survival rates were 53.17% (67/126) and 29.31% (17/58) in RM group. There were no statistically significant differences in the long-term survival rates between the two groups (P greater than 0.05). The authors believe that MRM causing less trauma should be considered in the treatment of stage III breast carcinoma unless in cases with major pectorial muscle involvement or large metastatic axillary nodes.