Objective To explore the strategy of surgical therapy for breast carcinoma . Methods The clinical data of 258 patients with breast carcinoma were analysed retrospectively. Results (1)136 patients with stage Ⅰ～Ⅱ breast carcinoma were subjected to modified radical mastectomy, overall survival(OS) was 100%, and relapse free survival(RFS)92.6%.(2)Partial mastectomy and axillary dissection were performed on two patients with stage Ⅱbreast carcinoma,one relapsed in 5 months after operation. (3)In patients with stage Ⅲ breast carcinoma,there was no statistical difference in OS and RFS between 88 patients subjected to modified radical mastectomy and 20 radical mastectomy.(4)The radical operation showed a better efficacy in 5 patients with stage Ⅳ breast carcinoma.(5)Using special breast cutter and electrotome,the rate of surgical blood transfusion was 3.5%,postoperative hematocele 2.7%,flap necrosis 7.4%, effusion under skin 18.6%,and edema of affected limb 4.3%. Conclusions (1)The modified radical mastectomy is the major operation for stage Ⅰ～Ⅲ breast carcinoma patients. (2)Using special breast cutter and electrotome could cut down surgical blood transfusion and operation time.(3)Rational axillary lymph node dissective could reduce postoperative complications.