Veronesi et al. (1990)

This groups compared radical mastectomy with quadrantectomy, axillary dissection and breast irradiation. Those patients with proven nodal metastases also received adjuvant chemotherapy. It was a prospective, randomised control trial.

The study group was 701 women with primary tumours less than 2cm in diameter and no clinically-palpable nodes.

The study followed both groups for 13 years. At this stage, survival was similar: 69% for mastectomy and 71% for conservative treatment. Also, local recurrence rates were similar.

Reference:

• Veronesi, U. et al. "Breast conservation is the treatment of choice in small breast cancer: long term results of a randomised trial." European Journal of Cancer, (1990); 26: 668-670.