Appraising current therapy for breast cancer. 2. Irradiation

The best combination of methods for managing primary breast cancer may not yet be known. Radiation therapy has been proved effective in decreasing the incidence of local and regional recurrence following mastectomy. Thus, until a superior regimen is established, I recommend local and regional irradiation for patients at high risk for recurrence. Local irradiation is also an effective means of achieving palliation of symptoms associated with metastatic disease.