What does "Margins" mean in a report or doctor's letter? In our medical dictionary, you will find a patient-friendly explanation of the meaning of this medical term.
In the field of medicine, "margins" often refer to the edge or border of a tissue that has been removed during surgery, particularly in cancer treatments. When a tumor is removed, doctors aim to take out a bit of healthy tissue around it as well, to ensure all cancer cells are removed. These edges of the removed tissue are the "margins". They are examined under a microscope to check if they are free of cancer cells, which helps determine if the entire tumor was successfully removed.
Editorial responsibility: BaluMed.

BaluMed makes medicine understandable! Our extensive medical report explanation 'translates' complex medical terms from MRI findings and discharge summaries into easily understandable language. With a combination of artificial intelligence and medical expertise, we offer quickly available and reliable information.