[Some problems in the treatment of early breast cancer].
In Japan, most surgeons regard Stage I cancer of TNM system as "early breast cancer". Modified radical mastectomy is generally performed for the Stage I cancer. However, most recurrence sites of those cases, even in Stage I cancer, are distant organs such as lung, bone, etc. Corresponding to this, the Stage I cancer has blood vessel invasion in some cases and the incidence is almost 10%. Consequently, postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy is required in such cases. We have experienced several cases of small (less than or equal to 5 mm) non-infiltrating carcinoma detected only by microcalcification on mammogram. In such cases, a quadrantectomy and further follow-up are indicated as an appropriate treatment at present. Thus, even the treatment for the early breast cancer should be applied a wide-varied policy.
D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008408:Mastectomy; D008875:Middle Aged