RADICAL TUMOR-EXCISION AND COSMETIC BALANCE IN THE SURGICAL-TREATMENT OF BREAST-CARCINOMA - BIQUADRANTECTOMY

The present trend in favor of conservative surgery is in contrast with histopathological findings of multicentric breast carcinoma, which may be responsible for the occurrence of relapses in spite of the use of radiation therapy. As a consequence, conservative surgery appears to be inadequate, especially when tumor size exceeds 2 cm. Therefore for tumors up to 4 cm in size, which are not adherent to the pectoral fascia, we propose the excision of two quadrants with concomitant operation on the contralateral breast resulting in a more symmetrical and therefore cosmetic effect. This is a more radical procedure than the removal of the one quadrant.