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Updated: Jul 14, 2026
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Intraoperative Assessment of Resection Margins in Oral Cavity Cancer: This is the Way
Published on: May 10, 2021
[Reevaluation resection margin rectal cancer by flow cytometry and pathological examination]
Xiao-yan Han1, Hong-bo Wei, Bo Wei
1Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China.
Summary
Rectal cancer can invade 3 cm distally and its mesorectum up to 5 cm. Radical resection for rectal cancer should extend beyond these ranges to ensure complete tumor removal.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Surgical Pathology
- Flow Cytometry
Context:
- Determining the appropriate distal resection margin is crucial for effective rectal cancer treatment.
- Total mesorectal excision (TME) is a standard surgical procedure for rectal cancer.
Purpose:
- To investigate the appropriate distal resection margin in rectal cancer patients using pathological and flow cytometric analyses.
Summary:
- Pathological examination revealed no tumor invasion 3-5 cm below the primary tumor, but mesorectal metastasis was observed up to 5 cm.
- Flow cytometry showed significantly higher DNA ploidy status, DNA index (DI), proliferative index (PI), and S-phase fraction (SPF) in tumor tissue and 3 cm distal rectum compared to normal rectum.
- Distal rectum 5 cm below the tumor showed no significant difference in DI, PI, and SPF compared to normal rectum, suggesting it as a potential safe margin.
Impact:
- Findings suggest that rectal cancer can invade distally up to 3 cm and its mesorectum up to 5 cm.
- Radical resection margins for rectal cancer should extend beyond these identified invasion zones to minimize recurrence risk.
