From 1960 to 1989, 154 cases of recurrent breast cancer after conserva
tive radiosurgery were treated at the Curie Institue. Relapse was disc
overed at clinical examination in 88 % of the case and mammography was
only useful in 45 %. In 18 cases (12 %) an unpalpable tumour was disc
overed at mammography, especially for intragalactophoric tumors. Cytop
uncture yielded a precise diagnosis in 83 % of the cases. Overal survi
val rate after recurrence was 72 % at 5 years (62 % without metastasis
). Survival rate was better for late recurrence, and poorer in cases w
ith subclinical axillary invasion. Neither age nor type of treatment h
ad any effect on survival. Indications for general associated treatmen
t are based on: the invasive character of the recurrent tumour; axilla
ry invasion, tumour size and delay to recurrence after initial surgery
.