In surgical oncology, achieving negative margins is essential because it means:

In surgical oncology, achieving negative margins is essential because it means:

• A. Tumor-free edge of resection
• B. Tumor at the edge
• C. Margin status unknown
• D. Margin not relevant

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that you want to remove the tumor with a surrounding rim of normal tissue so the edge of what’s been cut is free of cancer cells. After pathology, if the edge is clean—no tumor cells touching the inked margin—that’s a negative margin. This indicates the cancer has been removed with a clearance of normal tissue around it, which lowers the chance that microscopic disease is left behind. Negative margins are associated with better local control and often influence the need for additional treatment. In contrast, if tumor cells are seen at or very near the edge, margins are positive or close, suggesting residual disease and a higher risk of recurrence, which may prompt re-excision or adjuvant therapy.

The main idea is that you want to remove the tumor with a surrounding rim of normal tissue so the edge of what’s been cut is free of cancer cells. After pathology, if the edge is clean—no tumor cells touching the inked margin—that’s a negative margin. This indicates the cancer has been removed with a clearance of normal tissue around it, which lowers the chance that microscopic disease is left behind. Negative margins are associated with better local control and often influence the need for additional treatment. In contrast, if tumor cells are seen at or very near the edge, margins are positive or close, suggesting residual disease and a higher risk of recurrence, which may prompt re-excision or adjuvant therapy.