What does negative surgical margins mean?

The edge or border of the tissue removed in cancer surgery. The margin is described as negative or clean when the pathologist finds no cancer cells at the edge of the tissue, suggesting that all of the cancer has been removed.

What is pT3a prostate cancer?

EPE is defined as cancer extension beyond the confines of prostate gland and is currently indicative of the pT3a stage3. The pT3a stage is an unfavorable prognostic factor that indicates cancer progression and poor patient survival outcomes4,5,6,7,8.

What are prostate margins?

The ink that was painted onto the edge of the prostate can also be seen and this helps the pathologist know which part of the prostate the sample came from. This coloured ink marks the outside edges of the prostate gland and is known as the surgical margins.

Is Extraprostatic extension the same as extracapsular extension?

Extraprostatic (extracapsular) extension of prostate cancer refers to local tumor growth beyond the fibromuscular pseudocapsule of the prostate gland into the periprostatic soft tissues, in particular, the periprostatic fat and is an established adverse prognostic factor and of importance for prostate cancer staging …

What is the most common margin for melanoma removal *?

These studies have led to the current widely accepted standard treatment guidelines supported by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, which recommend 1-cm margins for thin melanoma (<1-mm thick), 1- to 2-cm margins for 1- to 2-mm melanomas, and 2-cm margins for intermediate-thickness melanomas (2-4 mm).

What kind of surgery is done for melanoma?

Mohs surgery is done by a specially trained dermatologist or surgeon. In this procedure, the skin (including the melanoma) is removed in very thin layers. Each layer is then looked at with a microscope. If cancer cells are seen, the doctor removes another layer of skin.

Is Extraprostatic Extension bad?

Extraprostatic extension (EPE) is an adverse prognostic factor for prostate cancer (PCa) and is defined as an extension of tumor into periprostatic soft tissue.

What is non focal Extraprostatic extension?

Focal is defined as extraprostatic glands which occupy no more than one high power field on no more than two sections, often described as “established”. Extensive EPE represents anything more than this and is often described as “non-focal”.

What does positive margins mean on a biopsy?

Tumor margin. Another important factor is whether there are cancer cells at the margins, or edges, of the biopsy sample. A “positive” or “involved” margin means there are cancer cells in the margin. This means that it is likely that cancerous cells are still in the body.