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Breast-conserving surgery margin — USMLE Step 3 MCQ

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ModerateSurgery (post-operative, follow-up)Breast-conserving surgery marginUSMLE Step 3

A 54-year-old woman underwent lumpectomy for invasive ductal carcinoma. Pathology shows tumor at the inked margin. Sentinel nodes are negative. She asks about the next local treatment step. Which of the following would you recommend at the follow-up visit?

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Correct answer: D — Re-excision of the involved margin

Tumor on ink after breast-conserving surgery indicates a positive margin and usually requires re-excision to reduce local recurrence.

Reference: Society of Surgical Oncology/American Society for Radiation Oncology margin guideline