Resection Margin Status
A mandatory pathological reporting parameter describing whether tumour cells are present at, close to, or absent from the inked surgical resection margins of an excised specimen.
Full Definition
Resection margin status is a critical prognostic and therapeutic parameter in surgical pathology reports for oral and maxillofacial malignancies, classifying margins as clear (negative), close, or involved (positive) based on the measured distance between tumour and the inked margin. Most guidelines, including those from the College of American Pathologists and the Royal College of Pathologists, define a clear margin as ≥5 mm for oral squamous cell carcinoma, though thresholds vary by tumour type and site. Editors must ensure margin measurements are transcribed in full with their units (millimetres), that the terms 'clear,' 'close,' and 'involved' are not used interchangeably, and that each named margin (anterior, posterior, deep, superficial, etc.) is individually reported. The phrase 'margins are clear' without specifying the minimum measured distance is considered an incomplete report in current synoptic formats.
Usage
Usage note: Always include measured distances in millimetres. 'Clear,' 'close,' and 'involved' are not synonyms; confirm the precise threshold used by the reporting institution.
In Context
- "Resection margin status: posterior margin involved (tumour at ink); all other margins clear (minimum 7 mm)." — Synoptic surgical pathology report
- "Editors must not use 'clear' and 'close' interchangeably; the distinction carries direct implications for adjuvant treatment recommendations." — Pathology report editing guideline