PROGNOSTIC ROLE OF TUMOR MARGINS IN SURGICAL ONCOLOGY: A HISTOPATHOLOGICAL EVALUATION

Abstract

The tumour margin is also of great importance in regard to the prognosis of patients undergoing surgery to have cancer removed.  Histopathological assessment of tumour margins is now a significant element of the process of surgical oncology to determine the probability of the cancer returning and the life expectancy of the person.  This paper aims to determine whether tumour margins are prognostically significant in predicting patient outcome in a wide range of malignancies, breast, colorectal, and head and neck cancer.  A positive margin of the tumour cells at or around the surgical margin has been associated with an increased risk of local recurrence and poor overall survival.  This tumour margin histological examination aids in the postoperative management, such as adjuvant treatment.  The paper also examines the role of the breadth of the margin in predicting the possibility of the reoccurrence and the feasibility of using intraoperative frozen section examination to ensure that the performed surgery is accurate.  The results highlighted the significance of getting clear or negative margins and the need to critically analyse surgical tissues histologically in order to improve patient outcomes.