[Experience in the treatment of breast sarcomas]

Authors operated on 6339 malignant breast tumors at the Department of Surgery, National Institute on Oncology between 1980 and 1994. The records of 14 patients with sarcomas of the breast were analyzed. These included 2 malignant phyllodes tumors, 3 malignant fibrous histiocytomas, 2-2 fibrosarcomas and carcinosarcomas and liposarcoma, angiosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, osteosarcoma and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans one of each. During this period 5 patients died, 9 are living without evidence of tumor. Analysing these 14 cases authors present their policy in surgical therapy of breast sarcomas compared with literature data. They emphasise the importance of wide resection margins for prevention of tumor progression. The above mentioned principle is valid for local recurrences so radicalization of the previous conservative breast surgery may be necessary in selected cases. Intraoperative histological examination is recommended to verify that the resection margins are tumor free. Axillary block dissection is not necessary except in cases when palpable, firm lymph nodes are present in the region. Depending on the histological grade adjuvant radiotherapy could be considered but its effectiveness is not proven.