[The role of radiotherapy in the surgical treatment of patients with breast cancer].

The 5- and 10-year results of treatment of 1,377 breast cancer patients were analysed with reference to the type of surgical procedure. On the basis of the similarity of the end results, similar rates of recurrence incidence and distant metastases and the absence of metastasis in the subclavicular area after Patey's operation coupled with radiotherapy, a high effectiveness of the latter treatment was established. It contributed to a radicality comparable to that of a radical mastectomy.