title: Influence of breast cancer margin assessment method on the rates of positive margins and residual carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We hypothesized that the method of breast cancer margin assessment may be associated with different rates of positive margins and residual carcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 178 breast cancer specimens were divided into 2 groups (A and B) based on the margin assessment method used. Rates of positive margins, re-excision, and residual carcinoma at re-excision were compared and analyzed statistically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At least 1 margin was positive in 64.7% in group A and in 65.2% in group B. At directed re-excision 54% in group A and 51% in group B had residual carcinoma. The lateral margin was positive in 44% in group A compared with 26% in group B (P = .06). The posterior margin was positive in 19% in group A and in 51% in group B (P = .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Two different breast cancer specimen margin assessment methods had comparable rates of positive margins and residual carcinoma at re-excision. Different patterns of specific margin positivity suggest that the method of margin assessment may alter results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, 88 E. Newton St., D 509, Boston, MA 02118, USA. jane.mendez@bmc.org
authors.forename: Jane E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Méndez
authors.forename: Wayne W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Lamorte
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Las Morenas
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cerda
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pistey
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: Maureen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kavanah
authors.forename: Erwin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hirsch
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Stone
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D016591:Histocytological Preparation Techniques; D006801:Humans; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental; D018365:Neoplasm, Residual; D012189:Retrospective Studies