Consistency of patient- and doctor-assessed cosmetic outcome after conservative treatment of breast cancer.

The cosmetic results of the breast (144 patients) were analysed after segmental resection and axillary dissection with or without postoperative radiotherapy for early low-risk breast cancers. Cosmetic results were assessed over time (3, 9, 18, 36, 48 months respectively) by the patient and by the physician. Patients rated the overall cosmetic result good or excellent in 92% of cases after 3 months.