Does Simple Mastectomy Followed by Irradiation Offer Survival Comparable to Radical Procedures?

During the past two decades many hospitals have been increasing the use of radiotherapy in breast cancer in operable stages. The most widespread method is simple mastectomy followed by irradiation. This method has been systematized mainly by McWhirter,16who uses it in all cases of operable breast cancer and in a number of inoperable cases, too. His therapeutic results are good, but a reliable comparison of his own results with those of radical mastectomy has not been possible. McWhirter states that the therapeutic results of radical mastectomy are excellent when the axillary nodes are not involved, but if there are no malignant cells in the axilla it would appear unnecessary to dissect it. On the other hand, when the axilla is secondarily involved, there is universal agreement that radical mastectomy often fails to save the patient's life. It is generally agreed that the prognosis following radical mastectomy in cases