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Can a pathologist determine during surgery if 0 margin is met?
Breast Cancer | Last Active: Dec 14, 2023 | Replies (20)Comment receiving replies
I have other people tell me something similar. This is the second surgeon I am going to. The first one could not get a 0 margin with 2 surgeries. This will be my 3rd surgery. I have asked both doctors if they could get a pathologist to look at during surgery they both told me know because it has to be frozen. I'm going to MUSC in South Carolina. I'm very disappointed if all these surgeries could have been avoided if they did a pathology during surgery.
Replies to "I have other people tell me something similar. This is the second surgeon I am going..."
Not all hospitals have the capacity to do this. Choose one that does if you can.
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Something to consider if you have not had your 3rd surgery yet. I did not have a clear margin by a small amount in 2016 surgery. Tumor Board suggested another surgery to get clear margins. I talked with my oncologist, surgeon, etc. Decided that the small margin would be addressed with radiation and would not require the disruption of another surgery. I just had my annual check up with examination of my breast and have had no recurrence of cancer in 7 years.
I had cancer in my internal mammary nodes and no surgery was done since they are along the sternum. They received the radiation as well and cancer was eliminated.
Encourage you to get a second opinion on the necessity of the 3rd surgery. Best to you as you make critical decisions.