[Some problems in the treatment of early breast cancer]

In Japan, most surgeons regard Stage I cancer of TNM system as "early breast cancer". Modified radical mastectomy is generally performed for the Stage I cancer. However, most recurrence sites of those cases, even in Stage I cancer, are distant organs such as lung, bone, etc. Corresponding to this, the Stage I cancer has blood vessel invasion in some cases and the incidence is almost 10%. Consequently, postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy is required in such cases. We have experienced several cases of small (less than or equal to 5 mm) non-infiltrating carcinoma detected only by microcalcification on mammogram. In such cases, a quadrantectomy and further follow-up are indicated as an appropriate treatment at present. Thus, even the treatment for the early breast cancer should be applied a wide-varied policy.