Surgical management of stage I and stage II breast cancer.

Patients with Stage I or II breast cancer are candidates for either modified radical mastectomy or breast preservation, with limited resection of the primary, axillary dissection, and breast irradiation. Overall survival rates with these two approaches are comparable in retrospective reviews and in ongoing clinical trials. Longer follow-up has confirmed earlier findings. Patients should be given these options by surgeons, radiation therapists, and other physicians involved in their care. Not all breast cancer patients will choose breast preservation, and not all are candidates for it due to tumor-related and other factors. Patient selection criteria are discussed, and optimal surgical techniques are reviewed.