Negative margins indicate that the edge of the removed tissue contains:

Negative margins indicate that the edge of the removed tissue contains:

• A. No tumor cells
• B. Tumor cells
• C. Inflammation only
• D. Benign tissue

Answer: (A)

Margin status tells us whether cancer reaches the edge of what was removed. When the edge is free of tumor cells—the edge of the specimen shows no cancer under the pathologist’s ink it’s considered negative margins. This indicates the tumor was completely excised with a normal tissue buffer around it, which lowers the chance of residual disease and local recurrence. If tumor cells are found at the edge, the margins are positive, signaling possible remaining cancer and often prompting a re-excision. In contrast, seeing inflammation or benign tissue at the edge doesn’t reflect tumor presence at the margin; what matters for clearance is that no tumor cells reach the inked edge.

Margin status tells us whether cancer reaches the edge of what was removed. When the edge is free of tumor cells—the edge of the specimen shows no cancer under the pathologist’s ink it’s considered negative margins. This indicates the tumor was completely excised with a normal tissue buffer around it, which lowers the chance of residual disease and local recurrence. If tumor cells are found at the edge, the margins are positive, signaling possible remaining cancer and often prompting a re-excision. In contrast, seeing inflammation or benign tissue at the edge doesn’t reflect tumor presence at the margin; what matters for clearance is that no tumor cells reach the inked edge.