[Problems of breast conservation therapy]

Breast conservation therapy (BCT) is now considered an appropriate method to treat stage I-II breast cancer. However, local recurrence after BCT is found in at least 5-10% of the patients. We discussed the problems of BCT, including prognostic factors for local recurrence, optimal surgical technique, management of ductal carcinoma in situ, the clinical usefulness of postsurgical radiotherapy, and the indications for induction chemotherapy for more advanced cases.