Conservative treatment of cancer of the breast. Apropos of 108 cases

: Between 1975 and 1980, 108 cancers of the breast (T1 and small T2) were treated by associated conservative surgery and radiotherapy. Axillary glands were curetted in 92 patients; 17% showed lymph node invasion. Radiotherapy was by telecobalt: 45 grays to the whole breast and 60 grays to the tumor bed. Esthetic results were satisfactory. Intramammary recurrence was rare (6%) and was independent of site or size of tumor and of degree of lymph node involvement. Metastases not associated with local recurrence were very rarely observed (4% of cases) and were present only in patients without glandular involvement. The 5-year actuarial survival rate was 95%.