[Small size breast cancer conservative surgical therapy and subsequent radiotherapy]

From february 1980 to december 1985, 115 breast carcinomas were treated with QU.A.RT. with limited surgery and following radiotherapy. Median age was 51 years (range 25 to 75). Surgical approach was quadrantectomy with axillary nodes dissection. Irradiation of residual breast was performed by an anterior high energy electron beam. 50 Gy in 25 fractions was the minimal dose to whole breast. In pN+ patients systemic adjuvant therapy was done. Local control was obtained in 111 cases. Local recurrence appeared in 4: 1 menopausal pT1 pNO and 3 premenopausal (1 pT1 pNO and 2 pT1 pN+) at respectively 31, 19, 22 months from diagnosis. Distant metastases appeared in 10 patients. 7 died for cancer and 3 are still alive. Cosmetic results were scored as good in 52, better than mastectomy in 26, unsatisfactory in 3, and not stated in 34. Our results are comparable to those of other Centers. Youth, axillary metastases and delay between surgery and radiotherapy appears to influence the risk of recurrence also in our series.