Involved anterior margins after breast conserving surgery

Background: Complete tumour excision in breast conserving surgery (BCS) is critical for successful outcome; involved circumferential resection margins are associated with increased disease recurrence. However, the importance of an involved anterior margin (IAM) is less clear. The purpose of this study was to review an aggressive approach to IAM and hence assess whether anterior margin re-excision (RE) yields clinical benefit. Methods: A review of prospectively collected clinical and pathology data was performed for all patients who underwent BCS between 2006 and 2010 through a single cancer centre. An involved margin was defined as