I wonder if anyone can help- Ive been reading some of the posts on stages and grades of cancer and I think Ive got my head around that. Stage 1 being smaller than 2cm no nodes involved but what if your margins are not clear? Does anyone know how important this is? I know everyones cancer is different and everyone will respond differently to treatment but if anyone could give me more info on margins I would appreciate it. Are margins as important as nodes being effected?
Yvonne x
I thought margins had to be clear and that if they weren’t more tissue had to be taken.
I had a mastectomy already so they couldnt take any more tissue. Maybe Im not quite understanding what Ive been told I’ll ask more questions next time im in the hospital- Im useless at asking questions when i go in. I know that one of my tumours was very high up and close to the chest wall and I thought my margins wernt clear but they said they could not take anymore away so I would be having radiotherapy to the area.
Just a suggestion, I used to type all my questions up on a sheet of paper the evening before my appointments, that way I didn’t forget anything. The Consultants never minded this at all and thought it was great as there was no dithering over what I needed to know. If I did occasionally forget anything my OH used to ask for me as he attended all the appointments.
I had an extensive WLE in November 08 and my margins were clear, but I had spread to my sentinel lymph node.I had been warned that if the surgeon didn’t get good margins, he would have to go back in until he DID get them.So, for me, no further surgery now to my breast, but I do have to go back when my chemo is complete,for removal of more, or all ,of my lymph nodes in that arm.I think it is important to get clear margins, as it hopefully means the cancer is gone from that breast.You could ring your BCN for a chat if you are worried, she won’t mind you asking and she won’t think you are silly, I promise!
Apparently my margins weren’t too great at the back of the lump - less than 1mm when they like at least 2mm - but as there was no more tissue to take without hitting my ribs, they had to leave it as it was. I think I’m getting extra zaps of radiotherapy to compensate!
Thankyou for your replys. It is playing on my mind a bit but im in for chemo on wed so I think I’ll ask about it then. They told me at the time of biopsy my breast was like a rotten apple- 2 tumors and calcifications but both tumors were relatively small and my nodes were clear. If I cant put it to the back of my mind i’ll give the bcn a ring in the morning.