Tumorgebied

Tumorgebied is a term used in Dutch medical contexts to describe the region of tissue that contains a tumor, including the tumor mass itself and a surrounding zone in which cancer cells may infiltrate or where microscopic disease may be present. The concept is central to diagnostic assessment and treatment planning. The extent of the tumorgebied is determined through imaging studies such as MRI, CT, or PET scans, and is sometimes refined by targeted biopsy. Radiologists assess the borders between tumor and normal tissue and note whether margins are well defined or infiltrative, and whether adjacent structures are involved. In surgical cancer care, defining the tumorgebied guides decisions about resection margins and the potential need for adjuvant therapy. Surgeons aim for negative margins, meaning no tumor cells at the edge of the removed tissue, while balancing the risk to nearby organs, nerves, or vessels.

After removal, the specimen is examined by pathology to map the precise boundaries of tumor involvement, assess depth of invasion, and detect perineural or lymphovascular spread, including in the peritumoral zone. In oncology, the size and extent of the tumorgebied contribute to tumor staging and prognosis. Larger or more invasive tumorgebieden are typically associated with higher stage and greater recurrence risk, though outcomes depend on tumor type and other factors. Usage varies by specialty and language; some contexts distinguish radiographic borders from pathologic borders, while others use the term more broadly to refer to the area at risk around a tumor.