Local and regional therapy for primary breast tumors

Preview Few subjects in modern medicine stir the emotions and invite such scrutiny as breast cancer does. Important questions must be answered in its primary treatment: Can the breast be preserved, or is a complete mastectomy necessary? Should axillary node dissection be done? Will radiation therapy be useful? Should reconstruction be part of initial treatment? In this article, the authors first discuss issues that most directly affect the primary care physician and then review management from the perspective of the surgical oncologist.