OBJECTIVEThe goal of the study is to investigate the feasibility of breast-conserving therapy for early primary breast carcinoma centrally located in the breast.

METHODS157 patients with stage I or II primary breast cancer located in the central part of the breast were operated with extended local excision and axillary lymph node dissection. Nipple-areola complex was excised in 18 patients. Ninety-three patients received two to six cycles neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. Radiotherapy was given postoperatively to the whole remaining breast.

RESULTSThe clinical response rate was 87.1% (81/93) and pathologic complete remission rate was 15.1% (14/93) after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. Breast conservation surgery was performed successfully for all the patients in this series. After a median follow-up of 23 months (range 6-53 months), there was no recurrence in the ipsilateral breast. The aesthetic effect of the conserved breast was satisfactory including excellent for 88 patients and good for 48 patients representing of 86.6% of all cases.

CONCLUSIONBreast conserving surgery is suitable for the early centrally located primary breast carcinoma. Though the short-term results are satisfactory, the long-term follow-up is still needed for the final outcome.