Clear margins question

cahalstead
cahalstead CSN Member Posts: 118
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Please forgive my ignorance but I noticed the heading "clear margins" from a previous post. What advantage is there for "clear margins"? What exactly does that mean? I had that on my path report but neglected to ask my doctor what it meant.

Thanks.

Comments

  • vinny3
    vinny3 CSN Member Posts: 928 Member
    #2
    It means there are normal cells between the tumor tissue and the border of the specimen they are looking at. If there are cancer cells right at the edge, or margin, of the sample the concern is that some were left behind.

    ****
  • KathiM
    KathiM CSN Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #3
    vinny3 said:

    It means there are normal cells between the tumor tissue and the border of the specimen they are looking at. If there are cancer cells right at the edge, or margin, of the sample the concern is that some were left behind.

    ****

    I LOVE having a doc on call!!! Thanks, ****!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • cahalstead
    cahalstead CSN Member Posts: 118
    #4
    Thanks ****. Thanks so much for sharing your medical knowledge with me.

    I'd say clear margins is a "good thing".

    Char
  • vinny3
    vinny3 CSN Member Posts: 928 Member
    #5
    KathiM said:

    I LOVE having a doc on call!!! Thanks, ****!

    Hugs, Kathi

    Your welcome. But to be honest, I'd rather be an honorary member of the Board.

    ****

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