In these days, patients with stage I breast cancer have increased by regular health examination and diagnostic tool development. The aim of this retrospective study is to identify systemic recurrence related factors after breast conserving surgery (BCS) for stage I breast cancer.

In this study, we analyzed the correlation between systemic recurrence and pathologic factors. We reviewed 223 patients who underwent BCS for stage I breast cancer. Postoperative pathologic factors, recurrent rates and sites were studied. In addition, preoperative patients'data were also collected. Statistical analysis was done by using PASW 16.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).

Systemic recurrence was found in 16 patients (7.17%) within 5 years after primary surgery. 5 patients had lymphatic invasion and 6 patients had vascular invasion. Lymphatic and vascular invasion had statistical correlation with systemic recurrence (P = 0.004, P = 0.001).

In this retrospective study, we can conclude that vascular invasion and lymphatic invasion are related systemic recurrence after BCS for stage I patients. Further studies with large cohort will be required to fully understand the risk factors of systemic recurrence for stage I breast cancer patients.