[Breast-saving therapy--a safe alternative in primary treatment of breast cancer?]

Since Fisher's publication in March 1985 conservative breast cancer treatment is viewed ever more uncritically. In order to avoid local recurrence this therapeutic modality can only be justified in connection with radiotherapy the negative effects of which are often neglected. Thoroughly competent surgical technique, careful pathological work-up of the tumor material and a computerized radiation planning as a prerequisite for a homogeneous radiotherapy of the breast are necessary to perform conservative breast cancer therapy. Legal-ethical aspects make it imperative to inform the patient about the advantages and disadvantages of conservative versus radical therapy. The realization of conservative breast cancer treatment on a broad basis is, at present, only justifiable under study conditions.