[Therapeutic breast-preserving measures in operable breast carcinoma]

Simple mastectomy with axillary clearance represents the standard therapy in operable breast cancer. In many cases no additional complex therapeutic measures have to be taken. For small tumors without clinical suspicion of lymphnode involvement in the axilla a combination of tumorectomy and axillary clearance followed by high voltage radiotherapy allows the conservation of a nearly normal breast. The survival figures available today show no difference between amputation and conservative treatment. An absolute condition for successful conservative treatment and follow-up is a consequent and continuous collaboration between the involved disciplines. If this is not the case, mastectomy with eventual later reconstruction has to be preferred.