Local therapy of invasive disease

Mastectomy and CS and RT are currently the two major options for patients with early breast cancer. Prospective randomized trials have shown comparable survival rates for these two treatments. The major selection criterion for CS and RT is the relative size of the tumor and the breast. The surgeon must be able to resect the tumor and still preserve a good cosmetic appearance. In most cases, an axillary dissection is also performed and RT is delivered to the breast alone. With good surgical and radiotherapeutic technique, good to excellent cosmetic results are generally obtained, and complications are uncommon.