[Breast carcinoma and breast saving therapy--a critical comment from the viewpoint of the pathologist]

The pathologist's contribution to decision-making for or against breast conserving treatment is based on his examination of the specimen from primary tumour surgery. First-line criteria for the assessment of the specimen are completeness, contour and versus plurifocal/multicentric spread), intracanalicular tumour components, lymphangiosis and haemangiosis. Second-line criteria are the histological and cytological grade of malignancy, preconditions for breast conserving treatment are favorable in consolidated in situ carcinomas up to 25 mm in diameter and in unifocal invasive carcinomas up to stage pT2 with low grade malignancy and without additional intraductal spread or angiosis. Breast conserving treatment is not indicated for multifocal or pT4 carcinomas and for carcinomas with extensive intraductal components or angiosis. When considering an unselected group of breast cancer patients, the pathological anatomic preconditions for breast conserving treatment will be very favourable in one-quarter of the cases. This approach will be feasible with limitations only in another one-fourth of the cases, whereas in about 50% of the patients, breast conserving treatment is dubious or should be rejected.