[Radiotherapy in the treatment of breast carcinoma]

In the treatment of breast cancer a radiation therapy is indicated under the following conditions: 1. Postoperative irradiation only of the regional lymph-nodes also in stage I (T1, N0). 2. Postoperative irradiation of the regional lymph-nodes and the thorax wall in cases with great primary tumours (T2), in cases with involved axillary lymph-nodes and, of course, in all cases with "grave signs". 3. Preoperative irradiation only in those cases when it seems possible that an inoperable tumour would become operable. 4. As the sole local treatment only in cases with very large inoperable tumours or in special cases (e.g. very high risc or refusal of the operation). 5. As local treatment of a local recidive or of isolated metastases. 6. As supporting local therapy (e.g. threatening fracturation of our fracturated bone metastases; brain metastases) in cases of generalized metastatic disease treated by hormonal or cytostatic therapy.