[Therapy of breast cancer]

Mammary carcinoma is the most common cancer of women. A brief statistical account is followed by reference to operative techniques for mammary carcinoma, in general, and to stage-related therapy, in particular. Mention is made of the unresolved problem of systemic disease or locally delimited lesion, with latest knowledge being reported. For standard surgery to cope with stages I and II (III) modified radical mastectomy has replaced classical radical mastectomy. Adequate therapy for mammary carcinoma should be aimed not simply at enhancing survival rates but also at improving the quality of survival by achieving better aesthetic results and reducing morbidity. That objective can be accomplished by means of so-called breast-preserving techniques. Large-scale international studies have produced evidence to their curative value.