Patients and methods. The study dealt with 275 breast cancer patients who had undergone conservative surgery. The inclusion criteria were: TNM clinical stage I or II, suitable ratio between breast and tumor volume, solitary lesion, focal microcalcifications and patient consent. Tumor resection was performed in 141 patients and quadrantectomy in 134; all the patients underwent axillary lymphadenectomy and radiotherapy of the diseased breast.
Results. The predominant histological type was infiltrating ductal carcinoma (79%), the most common histological grade was G3 (36%), and 101 patients were found to have lymph node involvement. Twelve patients presented breast deformity and 35 showed skin changes. Fourteen patients presented LR. Tumor size T2 was associated with the highest incidence of LR.
Conclusions.. Conservative breast cancer surgery in stages I and II eradicates local and regional disease, with satisfactory cosmetic results. Tumor size T2 was the only prognostic factor significantly associated with LR.