How do you know if all cancer cells were removed during surgery?
After breast cancer surgery, your surgeon will send the removed tissue to a pathologist who examines the surgical margins. Margins are the edges of the tissue that was removed during your lumpectomy or mastectomy.
If your margins are negative or clear, it Show Full Answer
How do you know if all cancer cells were removed during surgery?
After breast cancer surgery, your surgeon will send the removed tissue to a pathologist who examines the surgical margins. Margins are the edges of the tissue that was removed during your lumpectomy or mastectomy.
If your margins are negative or clear, it means no cancer tissue was found at the edges. This indicates the surgeon successfully removed all visible cancer and reduces the risk of cancer cells regrowing or spreading.
However, achieving clear margins can be challenging depending on your tumor's location. About 25 percent of people need a second lumpectomy because the first surgery didn't achieve negative margins.
Your pathologist will also check your lymph nodes if they were removed. Cancer-free lymph nodes are a positive sign that cancer hasn't spread beyond the breast tissue.
Keep in mind that even with clear margins, your doctor may still recommend additional treatments like chemotherapy or radiation. These treatments help eliminate any undetected cancer cells that might remain in your body and reduce the risk of recurrence.
March 16
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