Clean margins in breast surgery, mission impossible?
Papa, M.
Harefuah 154(4): 251-253; 279
2015
ISSN/ISBN: 0017-7768 PMID: 26065221 Document Number: 683119
Surgical margin involvement is a major cause for local recurrence of breast cancer. In many cases, surgical margin involvement entails re-operation in order to achieve clean margins. The "MarginProbe" device uses radiowave spectroscopy to identify malignant tissue in excised tumor specimens. The current paper describes our experience with "MarginProbe" to evaluate the margin status during surgery. MarginProbe was used consecutively to evaluate margin involvement of histology-proven breast cancer patients. The excised tumor specimen was assessed visually as well as by palpation and specimen radiography. Forty-five patients who underwent breast preserving surgery were assessed with "MarginProbe" during surgery. Ten patients (22%) underwent re-excisions during the operation as indicated by the probe, which led to clear margins as the end result of surgery. In 2 patients (4.4%) additional surgery was performed at a later date to clear the margins. No adverse effects were noted due to the use of the probe. Use of the "MarginProbe" during breast preserving surgery helps identify involved margins and assists in reaching clear margins following tumor excision. Probe use was effective for infiltrating as well as in situ cancers. Routine use of the probe may contribute to a decreased re-operation rate for involved margins.