Deaths among female patients with carcinoma of the breast treated by a surgical procedure only.

The postoperative mortality from carcinoma of the breast is low, and it appears to be getting lower. Mortality is highest for the women in the older age group and for those with the most advanced stage of disease. Surgeons who generally consider these factors in deciding whether or not to perform an operation may wish to review their own experience in light of these data. In general, while surgical mortality for carcinoma of the breast is not zero, it certainly is low. The historical data collected in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program do not contain details on the extent of the operations actually performed, and this should influence the mortality. With proper safeguards for protecting the confidentiality of the medical records, it may be possible for qualified persons interested in surgical research to review a sample of the detailed records that contributed to the series reported herein to determine the exact extent of the operation and the curative or palliative purpose, and to help elucidate the actual causes and patterns of early deaths.