Recurrence of breast carcinoma after breast conserving treatment

Clinicopathologic data were analysed of 15 patients with recurrence of carcinoma after breast conserving treatment and who underwent salvage mastectomy with curative intent. Twelve recurred in the same site as the original tumor after an average interval of 29 months; the remaining three arose elsewhere in the breast after an average, 83 months. Ten patients presented with palpable lumps, one with Paget's disease of the nipple and four with mammographical microcalcifications. Thirteen patients are alive without evidence of disease (mean follow-up 20 months), one patient died of chest wall recurrence 10 months after mastectomy and one is alive with metastatic disease 9 months after mastectomy. Extensive ductal carcinoma in situ, which was found in 53% of the initial excisions in this series, may be associated with a high risk of local recurrence.