Health · Medical Research · 1 hr ago
One-millimeter margins linked to low recurrence risk in children’s sarcoma study
A study of 266 children with soft-tissue sarcomas found that a cancer-free margin as small as one millimeter was linked to a low risk of cancer returning near the operation site.
These cancers begin in soft tissues such as muscles and nerves, and the study excluded rhabdomyosarcoma.
Surgeons traditionally aim to remove one to two centimetres of healthy tissue around a tumor, which can mean taking tissue near important nerves, blood vessels or joints.
The cancer returned at the surgery site in 4.9% of children with a one-millimeter margin, compared with 2% for margins of two to five millimeters and none for margins of six millimeters or more.
The findings suggest that smaller margins may help preserve healthy tissue without greatly increasing recurrence risk in some children.
Tumor size and other treatment mattered: some children also received chemotherapy and radiation, and researchers said large tumors may need additional treatment.
The children were followed for a median of just over six years, and the results may help inform decisions about how much tissue to remove.
A study of 266 children with soft-tissue sarcoma found that a cancer-free surgical margin of just one millimeter was associated with a low risk of the cancer returning at the surgery site.
The findings suggest that removing less healthy tissue may help preserve important structures such as nerves and blood vessels.
The study was published in JAMA Surgery.
The risk of recurrence at the surgery site was 4.9% with a one-millimeter margin, 2% with margins of two to five millimeters, and 0% with margins of six millimeters or more.
- Who
- Researchers studied 266 children who had surgery for soft-tissue sarcomas other than rhabdomyosarcoma. The lead researcher was Dr. R. Lor Randall of the University of California, Davis.
- What
- The study found that a one-millimeter cancer-free surgical margin was associated with a low risk of recurrence at the surgery site.
- When
- The findings were published recently in JAMA Surgery. The article was published on November 4, 2026.
- Where
- The study involved children treated for soft-tissue sarcomas. The article does not state where the participating children were treated.
- Why
- Researchers examined how close surgeons can cut to a tumor while maintaining safety and preserving healthy tissue.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Researchers reviewed participants’ medical records and followed their progress for a median of just over six years.
The study findings were published in JAMA Surgery.
- Study participants
- 266 children
- One-millimeter margin
- 4.9% risk of recurrence at the surgery site
- Two-to-five-millimeter margin
- 2% risk of recurrence at the surgery site
- Six millimeters or more
- 0% risk of recurrence at the surgery site
- Treatment groups
- 178 children had surgery alone; 88 also received chemotherapy and radiation therapy
What people are saying
In a child, a few millimeters can make a difference for a lifetime when the tumor is next to an important nerve or blood vessel.
For the first time, we have data from a large prospective trial that help answer how close we can get to the tumor without compromising safety.
It is very encouraging to see that removing the tumor with just a one-millimeter margin could allow us to save a blood vessel or healthy tissue and, at the same time, meet standards of care. This had never been demonstrated.