LOCAL RECURRENCE AFTER BREAST-CONSERVING SURGERY FOR BREAST-CANCER

Local recurrence following breast-conserving surgery for breast cancer is a significant failure of local treatment. This article reviews the mechanisms, risk factors and overall significance of such local recur rence. The presence of disease at excision margins, an extensive intra duct component, lymphatic vessel invasion, tumour grade and tumour siz e are currently the best predictors of risk for local recurrence. Earl y local recurrence is due to residual disease and is associated with b oth decreased distant disease-free survival and overall survival; it a ppears to reflect aggressive biological characteristics of the primary tumour. The importance of adequate local treatment for breast cancer is discussed.