Journal Article

A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Cavity Shave Margins in Breast Cancer

Stavris, Karen, Bossuyt, Veerle, Harigopal, Malini, Horowitz, Nina R, Pusztai, Lajos, Yao, Xiaopan, Chagpar, Anees B, Tsangaris, Theodore N, Killelea, Brigid K, Li, Fangyong, Lannin, Donald R, Butler, Meghan

2015

Overview

In a study involving women undergoing breast-conserving therapy, the group that had the cavity of tumor resection shaved had a significantly lower rate of positive margins than the no-shave group (19% vs. 34%). Half as many such patients required second surgery for margin clearance. Many women who receive a diagnosis of early-stage breast cancer opt for breast-conserving surgery with partial mastectomy. 1 Although the survival rate with such surgery is equivalent to that with total mastectomy, margin status is a critical determinant of local recurrence. 2 Approximately 20 to 40% of patients have positive margins (margins positive for tumor) after partial mastectomy and require a second operation for margin clearance. 3 , 4 Retrospective studies have shown that taking additional tissue circumferentially around the cavity left by partial mastectomy (also known as cavity shave margins) may reduce the rate of positive margins. However, others have argued that it . . .

• Publisher: Massachusetts Medical Society
• Subject: Adult / Aged / Aged, 80 and over / Breast cancer / Breast Neoplasms - pathology / Breast Neoplasms - surgery / Breasts / Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast - pathology / Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast - surgery / Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating - pathology / Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating - surgery / Carcinoma, Lobular - pathology / Carcinoma, Lobular - surgery / Clinical trials / Evidence-based medicine / Female / Humans / Invasiveness / Mastectomy / Mastectomy, Segmental - methods / Middle Aged / Neoplasm Invasiveness / Neoplasm Staging / Reoperation / Surgery / Surgical outcomes / Tissues