Breast conserving surgery (BCS) in northern Norway

Between 1986-1994, 66 patients were operated by 36 surgeons at 11 institutions. The majority were below the age of 50 years. Single women had a prolonged diagnostic delay (p = 0.025). During a median follow-up of 29 months, 13 patients relapsed and 5 died of progressive disease giving a 5-year disease-free survival of 51% and an overall survival of 77%. Relapse was correlated to lymph node status (pN(+)) at diagnosis (p = 0.024). There were no difference in clinical outcome between hospitals or surgeons. Multicenter studies and treatment protocols ensure a high cure rate and a low morbidity in small surgical units.