[Preoperative radiotherapy and curative radiotherapy without mastectomy in carcinoma of the breast (author's transl)].

The aim of preoperative radiotherapy of mastocarcinoma is to reduce the size of the tumor to enable radical surgery in the third stage. This method is preferable to postoperative radiotherapy for anatomical and radiobiological reasons. It has not yet been possible to prove beyond doubt that preoperative radiotherapy also has a favourable effect on symptom-free survival. Curative radiotherapy without mastectomy is recommended for tumors of 2 - 3 cm size which are mobile, in small and medium-sized breasts, if the axilla is free or has only 1 - 2 mobile lymphatic nodes. Tumorectomy must be followed by surgical revision of the axillary region. High-voltage equipment is mandotory for radiotherapy. Results obtained to date are in no way inferior to those of mastectomy. Local control rate is 90-100%. The cosmetic result is usually excellent.