Margins

Options
carcharm
carcharm Member Posts: 486
edited June 2014 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

Can someone explain margins to me? My final path says "margins uninvolved by invasive carcinoma closest margin 0.6cm. Is this good? I thought good margins were 2mm.

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • unlimited
    unlimited Member Posts: 327
    edited July 2009

    1 cm  = 10 mm

    so with your closet margin being  0.6 cm  ... that calculates to  6 mm ..... greater then the  2mm for good margins

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • carcharm
    carcharm Member Posts: 486
    edited July 2009

    Thank you... how stupid of me.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • yasminv1
    yasminv1 Member Posts: 238
    edited July 2009

    carcharm - Don't call yourself stupid because you are not. You just have alot on your mind right now. Take Care!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kristin09
    kristin09 Member Posts: 56
    edited August 2009

    I have a question about margins as well.  My original IDC tumor was 1.4 cm with dirty margins, the re-excision showed DCIS with only 1 mm margins on the deep side and my surgeon said that he went right to the muscle.  I am trying to decide on a mastectomy and am told that since he went to the chest wall, there's nothing else to go in and get.  My surgeon and oncologist both say that a mastectomy is up to me and there is no wrong decision.  Does anyone have any thoughts?

    Kristin

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • koshka1
    koshka1 Member Posts: 678
    edited August 2009

    Hi Kristin,

    I had pretty much the same thing happen to me.  I had a lumpectomy, then a re-excision for margins, and the left over dcis was 1mm from the deep margin.

    My surgeon said she went all the way down to the muscle fascia and there was nothing more in that area to remove.  The radiation oncologist said this happens lots and that is what the radiation treatment is for.  Mastectomy was not recommended but was my choice if I wanted.  I did also find out..that quite possible if I had the mastectomy, with that type of margin, they may want to radiate that area anyway.

    So, I stuck with the lumpectomy.  I alternate mammo and mri every 6 months - and so far so good.

    Hugs..and keep me posted on your decision.

    Kosh

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories