Question:  I had a core biopsy in July which showed LCIS and had my surgery in late August which also showed only LCIS.  My doctor said I don’t need any more surgery, but my pathology report said “margins are 1-2 mm in several foci.” Should I be concerned everything wasn’t taken out? Are these good margins?

Answer:  It’s not necessary to comment on margins for LCIS and most breast pathologists don’t mention it in their reports.  This is because currently LCIS is felt to be a risk factor for developing invasive carcinoma but not a precursor lesion like DCIS.  Therefore, surgeons don’t try to “get around” the LCIS with clear margins like they will for DCIS.  The terminology can be confusing–if you want more information on carcinoma in situ, click here.