Radiotherapy: breast conservative treatment for breast cancer

In 1970s, first reports were published in western countries comparing mastectomy and lumpectomy plus postoperative radiotherapy for early breast cancer. The results including randomized studies showed there is no difference between mastectomy and breast conservative treatment (BCT). In 1990s, BCT became as a standard treatment for early breast cancer in the western countries. In Japan, BCT for early cancer was started in late 1980s and was increasing rapidly. Local relapse was reported less than 5% in 5 years and 5 years survival rate is over 95%. The causes of death are not related to local relapses but to distant metastases such as bone and lung. (J.P.N.)