Biological rationale for breast cancer surgery

The history of surgical treatment for breast cancer serves as a compelling illustration of progress in medical science, where empirical dogmas have yielded to evidence-based research. While the 20th century was dominated by a paradigm of maximum radical intervention, the current standard has become the «less is more» concept, provided oncological safety is maintained. Key milestones on this path include the shift from radical mastectomy to lumpectomy, from complete lymph node dissection to sentinel lymph node biopsy, and more recently, to the selective omission of axillary surgery. Studying this evolution is crucial for understanding current trends and enabling informed forecasting of future directions in breast cancer management.