Conservative breast surgery versus modified radical mastectomy in surgical management of early breast cancer

Abstract

Objectives To compare the advantages of conservative breast surgery (CBS) to modified radical mastectomy (MRM) regarding the outcome, prognosis, and survival in management of early breast cancer. Patients and methods This study included 100 patients attending Al Zahraa University Hospital from March 2016 to February 2019 diagnosed as having early breast cancer (stages I and II breast cancer). Their age ranged from 25 to 60 years old. They were classified into two group: group A, which underwent breast-conservative surgery (n=15), and group B, which MRM (n=85). Results The goals of using CBS and radiation therapy to treat patients with early breast cancer (stages I and II) are to provide surgical equivalent to that obtained with MRM. There was only a small risk of recurrence in the treated breast and had satisfactory cosmetic result. The success of CBS depends not only on appropriate patient selection but also on the combination of adequate surgical margins and an acceptable cosmetic result. Conclusion Breast-conservative surgery and mastectomy result in nearly equivalent survival rates for patients with stages 0, I, or II disease. The decision to conserve the breast must be made individually.