Organ and functional preservation in the management of breast cancer

Breast conservation surgery combined with radiation therapy has established itself as a good alternative to mastectomy for patients with stage I and II breast cancer. This method can also be used to treat patients with DCIS. Careful clinical, mammographic, and pathological evaluations are essential for appropriate selection of patients for breast conservation treatment. Particular attention must be paid to the application of skillful surgical and radiotherapeutic techniques in order to achieve satisfactory long-term control, survival, and cosmetic results. Adjuvant chemotherapy may be used when indicated. The integration of chemotherapy with radiation therapy may be sequential or concurrent, but the optimal method of integration has not yet been determined.