Patients with biopsy proven breast cancer, clinical stage I and II, will be randomized to receive treatment by one of two methods: (1) total mastectomy and axillary dissection; or (2) excisional biopsy, axillary dissection, and definitive irradiation.

Data from single institutions and from retrospective comparisons suggest that definitive irradiation with cosmetically acceptable breast preservation offers survival and local control results equivalent to extirpative surgery. This study will test this hypothesis in a prospective, randomized manner. After primary therapy, subjects will be followed for: (1) survival; (2) sites of recurrence; (3) anatomic function; (4) complications of therapy; and (5) cosmesis.

Patients with biopsy proven breast cancer, clinical stage I and II, will be randomized to receive treatment by one of two methods: (1) total mastectomy and axillary dissection; or (2) excisional biopsy, axillary dissection, and definitive irradiation.

Data from single institutions and from retrospective comparisons suggest that definitive irradiation with cosmetically acceptable breast preservation offers survival and local control results equivalent to extirpative surgery. This study will test this hypothesis in a prospective, randomized manner. After primary therapy, subjects will be followed for: (1) survival; (2) sites of recurrence; (3) anatomic function; (4) complications of therapy; and (5) cosmesis.

• INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Female patients of any age with a dominant breast mass meeting the following requirements are eligible for this protocol:

On clinical evaluation the tumor must be confined to the breast and axillary lymph nodes (stage I and II).

Biopsy of the tumor must be classified as a primary breast neoplasm of epithelial origin.

Patients must be geographically accessible for follow-up and willing to return for the follow-up at the NCI.

Patient must be mentally competent to understand and give informed consent for the protocol.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Patients will be excluded from this protocol for the following reasons:

Advanced local disease or distant metastases (stage III and IV);

Inflammatory cancer;

Chronic diseases such as heart, lung, liver, kidney, blood, or metabolic disorders which may render the patient a poor operative risk;

History of another cancer other than skin cancer (non-melanoma);

Concurrent pregnancy or lactation;

Non-palpable lesions manifested only by nipple discharge or skin rash (Paget's disease);

Previous therapy to the breast cancer other than excisional biopsy;

Multiple masses or multiple suspicious areas on mammogram unless all but one are proven histologically benign; and

Bilateral breast carcinoma, either invasive or in-situ.