After careful consideration of all evidence that has been brought forward on the varying treatments for carcinoma of the breast, thorough radical mastectomy followed by appropriate radiation therapy, if axillary nodes are involved, still seems to me to be the best treatment available at the present time. The results are essentially similar in most reported surgical experience, with a 5-year survival rate of about 50 to 60 per cent. for all patients treated, and of 75 to 80 per cent. for patients operated on before axillary nodes are involved. These results have been accomplished with a surgical mortality rate of a fraction of 1 per cent. and with little morbidity or permanent disability. I doubt very much if more radical operation will improve these results materially, and I am sure mortality rates and morbidity would be increased. The evidence is clear that simple mastectomy and irradiation are less effective in the treatment of carcinoma of the breast than is radical mastectomy. A method which is more effective than radical mastectomy for the treatment of carcinoma of the breast would be welcome. I do not want to be the last to recognise and accept a better method of treatment when it is discovered. As yet, however, no better treatment than radical mastectomy has been developed.