Understanding Malignant Lesion Excision: Key Division Criteria

The division of malignant lesion excision is based on the following:

1. Margins:

- Free Margins: The margins are free of tumor cells.

- Close Margins: The margins have tumor cells within 1 mm of the edge of the excision.

2. Depth of Invasion:

- Intraepithelial Carcinoma (Carcinoma in Situ): The tumor is confined to the epithelium and has not invaded the underlying connective tissue.

- Invasive Carcinoma: The tumor has invaded the connective tissue beneath the epithelium.

3. Nodal Involvement:

- Negative Nodes: No tumor cells are found in the lymph nodes.

- Positive Nodes: Tumor cells are found in the lymph nodes.

Based on these factors, malignant lesion excisions can be classified into the following categories:

- Complete (or Curative) Excision: All of the tumor has been removed with free margins and no nodal involvement.

- Incomplete Excision: Some of the tumor remains or the margins are close, or there is nodal involvement.

- Wide Local Excision: Removal of the tumor with at least a 5-cm margin of surrounding tissue.

- Radical Excision: Removal of the tumor, surrounding tissues, and associated lymph nodes.