Info
Resection margins
The band of healthy tissue removed together with the tumor. Clear margins (R0) mean that no cancer cells can be seen at the edge of the removed piece.
What it means
The area of healthy tissue removed together with the tumor during an operation. If the margins are clear, it means that no cancer cells can be seen under the microscope at the edge of the removed piece.
In short
The band of healthy tissue removed together with the tumor. Clear margins (R0) mean that no cancer cells can be seen at the edge of the removed piece.
Where you will see it
Mentioned in the postoperative histopathology report. Recorded as R0 (clear margins), R1 (microscopic invasion) or R2 (residual tumor).
What it does not tell you on its own
Clear margins do not guarantee the absence of cancer cells from the body or the absence of recurrence. They are interpreted together with the stage and the adjuvant plan.
Questions for your doctor
- Are the resection margins clear (R0)?
- If they are not clear, what happens next?
- Is a second operation needed?
- Does it affect the decision about chemotherapy or radiotherapy?
Related terms
The terms below often appear alongside this one. Each definition is right here, so you do not have to look elsewhere.
- Histopathology
- The examination under the microscope of tissue taken by biopsy or surgery. The histopathology report describes the type of cells, the tumor grade and other details that help establish the diagnosis and treatment.
- Tumor grade (G1–G4)
- A histological classification that shows how different the cancer cell is from the normal cell it came from. G1 means cells that are almost normal (less aggressive), while G4 means cells that are very different (very aggressive). It helps assess how fast the tumor is growing.
- Recurrence
- The return of the disease after a period in which the cancer was absent or controlled. Recurrence can appear locally, regionally or at a distance, and it is one of the reasons why oncological monitoring remains important after treatment.
- Surgical resection
- A procedure in which the surgeon removes the tumor and the surrounding tissue (safety margin). It is the main treatment for many types of localised cancer. It may be followed by adjuvant chemotherapy.
Other terms in “Diagnosis”
Glossary definitions are written for patients by the OncoDots team and go through internal medical review. They explain terms; they do not establish a diagnosis and do not recommend a treatment.