[Surgical possibilities in the treatment of advanced and locally recurrent breast cancers].

Stage IV breast cancer is an incurable but treatable condition. Therapy of distant metastatic disease consists primarily of systemic and symptomatic treatments, while the role of surgery is subordinate. Conventional medical treatments result in 18-24 months average overall survival, and about 5-20% 5-year overall survival. However, it seems that in selected cases with solitary or oligometastases, mainly in those which respond well to drug therapy, the aggressive surgical removal of both the primary tumour and visceral metastases results in a survival advantage. After accurate evaluation of the patients, the indication for surgical treatment should be established through a biological and multidisciplinary approach. Other possible indications for surgical treatment are ulceration, bleeding, hygienic conditions undignified of human life, central nervous system metastases, acute neurological disorders, hydro- and pneumothorax greatly reducing respiratory surface and impending fractures. Surgical procedures include simple pleural drainage, minimal invasive techniques, large body cavity surgeries, extensive resection of soft tissue and chest wall due to the primary tumor, and plastic surgical reconstruction as well. Scientific assessment of the oncological value of surgical oncological interventions in stage IV. breast cancer require further multicentric prospective comparative studies. The present paper provides a broad review of the literature on surgical interventions and results in patients with breast cancer and remote metastases, and the surgical options of locally recurrent tumours.