The role and extent of surgery in early invasive breast cancer

The role of surgery in early invasive breast cancer is reviewed. Technologic developments and widespread use of screening mammography have allowed detection of smaller breast cancers that can be biopsied with minimally invasive procedures. Current treatment strategies include breast conservation therapy for the majority of early invasive breast cancers with local recurrence rates as low as 2%. The role of axillary dissection is being questioned in these early cancers. We review the current scientific data, which may lead to women with early breast cancers being treated with lumpectomy alone in the future, with axillary dissection being done in a scientific and highly selected fashion for the 10% to 30% of women who will benefit from that procedure.