The size of margin width excised during lumpectomy and the tumor size are the most significant factors in predicting whether or not tumor cells remain in the breast after lumpectomy. During surgery if a greater margin of grossly normal breast tissue is removed, there is less chance that tumor cells will be left in the breast tissue. This suggests that women with a low likelihood of residual disease may be able to forgo post-operative radiation with a low risk of recurrence.
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