What does a clean margin mean on a pathology report?
A clean margin is also called a negative margin. It generally means no cancer cells were found at the outer edge of the removed tissue. That tissue comes out during a biopsy or surgery. Pathology reports often list margin status as one of the key details. Others are the type of cancer, its grade, and whether nearby lymph nodes were involved.
The opposite finding is a positive, or "involved," margin. It means cancer cells were found at the edge of the removed tissue. This can matter for planning treatment. It may change whether more surgery or other treatment is advised.
Your report may mention margins without making clear what they mean for you. That is a fair question to bring straight to your doctor. Were the margins clean? If not, what does that change about the plan?
Pathology reports can appear in a patient portal before your doctor has talked them over with you. It's okay to wait for that conversation. It's also okay to reach out with questions if the wait feels long.
Want the full picture? Read our complete explanation: Questions to Ask About Your Pathology Report
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