[Breast carcinoma--breast preservation as a therapeutic principle]

Today there is no justification for a groundless mastectomy instead a breast conserving treatment for an invasive carcinoma of the breast. There is no oncologically based argument against breast conserving treatment in case of a resectable breast cancer. The literature concerning this subject has been able to demonstrate in many randomized, controlled studies that a mastectomy is not superior compared to a conserving treatment in terms of recurrence and survival. The engagement for conserving treatment does not exclude indications for reconstruction surgery and mastectomy, but it is essential that the advising physician knows the scientific data and that patients are informed accordingly.