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August 9, 2025
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A MyBCTeam Member

It does happen with ILC that margins may need to be done again.
But rarely.
One woman when I got radiation said she had to have a 2nd surgery to clear margins. She only got one week of radiation.

August 9, 2025
MyBCTeam

It's understandable to feel anxious while waiting for pathology results. With ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma), getting clear margins can be more challenging because of how these cancer cells grow in single file lines rather than forming distinct lumps. This growth pattern can make it harder to detect the full extent of the Show Full Answer

It's understandable to feel anxious while waiting for pathology results. With ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma), getting clear margins can be more challenging because of how these cancer cells grow in single file lines rather than forming distinct lumps. This growth pattern can make it harder to detect the full extent of the tumor during initial surgery.

The size and extent of ILC tumors can sometimes be underestimated, which may affect surgical outcomes. This is why some patients might need additional surgery to ensure clear margins. If margins aren't clear after initial surgery, your medical team may recommend additional surgery to ensure all cancer cells are removed. This is a common occurrence and shouldn't be viewed as a setback but rather as an important step in ensuring the best possible outcome. Your surgical team will use various imaging techniques, including MRI which has a 93% detection rate for ILC, to help plan any additional procedures needed.

August 9, 2025
A MyBCTeam Member

Thanks, Virginia.

August 9, 2025
A MyBCTeam Member

@A MyBCTeam Member thank goodness it rarely happens, no one should have to go through another surgery, the first one is bad enough. This would be awful.

August 9, 2025
A MyBCTeam Member

My large tumor was ILC. My surgeon was so confident in making sure all margins were clear, I never really thought about it after surgery and recovery. I had 4 lymph nodes with cancer. When I went to see my surgeon on my next visit he told me all margins are clear, no more cancer. I looked at him and said I wasn't worried as I knew when you told me you had never missed a margin that sealed the deal. I would recommend him to anyone as my daughter is in this field and knows all the excellent doctors with UCLA. I must say he is a little different but we got along just fine. I'm sure you had a wonderful surgeon too. Try not to worry, all the folks I've spoke to with cancer always come back with clear margins ❤️

August 9, 2025

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San Diego, CA