Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 20, 2026
Intraoperative Assessment of Resection Margins in Oral Cavity Cancer: This is the Way
Published on: May 10, 2021
Influence of breast cancer margin assessment method on the rates of positive margins and residual carcinoma
Jane E Méndez1, Wayne W Lamorte, Antonio de Las Morenas
1Department of Surgery, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, 88 E. Newton St., D 509, Boston, MA 02118, USA. jane.mendez@bmc.org
Background:
We hypothesized that the method of breast cancer margin assessment may be associated with different rates of positive margins and residual carcinoma.
Methods:
A total of 178 breast cancer specimens were divided into 2 groups (A and B) based on the margin assessment method used. Rates of positive margins, re-excision, and residual carcinoma at re-excision were compared and analyzed statistically.
Results:
At least 1 margin was positive in 64.7% in group A and in 65.2% in group B. At directed re-excision 54% in group A and 51% in group B had residual carcinoma. The lateral margin was positive in 44% in group A compared with 26% in group B (P = .06). The posterior margin was positive in 19% in group A and in 51% in group B (P = .001).
Conclusions:
Two different breast cancer specimen margin assessment methods had comparable rates of positive margins and residual carcinoma at re-excision. Different patterns of specific margin positivity suggest that the method of margin assessment may alter results.
