CHARACTERISTICS OF LOCAL RECURRENCE FOLLOWING LUMPECTOMY FOR BREAST-CANCER

We report the clinical characteristics and treatment of local breast r elapse in our breast cancer patients who were initially managed with b reast conservation surgery (lumpectomy) alone. A retrospective study w as conducted of 366 patients who were treated since 1977. The clinical , pathological, and treatment data regarding the primary tumor and the recurrences (91) were reviewed. The actuarial rate of local breast re lapse in this group was 31% at 10 years. Breast relapse was significan tly less in those patients 65 years old or greater. Acceptable treatme nt of the breast relapse included total mastectomy or repeat lumpectom y plus radiotherapy. Most relapses were small and occurred in the same area as the original tumor and had similar histology and estrogen and progesterone receptor values. About one-third of patients will have i solated relapses after conservation surgery alone, but in the older ag e group, isolated breast relapse occurs less frequently. The recurrenc es are usually surgically resectable, and acceptable results can be ac hieved with salvage surgery.