[Problems of minor surgery for the early breast cancer--from the clinicopathological study]

In 183 mastectomy specimens, performed for invasive or noninvasive carcinomas, histologic study was performed to assess the local extension of carcinoma. A wide carcinomatous extension, reached up to more than 4.5 cm from the margin of tumor, was found in 21 of 87 cases (24%) of breast cancer with tumor size less than 2 cm. There was 3 cases, having double palpable tumors in the same breast, no carcinomatous continuity between the 2 foci. The results have supported a concept of multicentric development of the cancer in the same breast. Carcinomatous involvement of the nipple and/or areola was found in 44 of 141 specimens (31%). These findings indicate that the possibility of leaving a carcinomatous residue if a partial mastectomy was performed.