Is breast specimen shrinkage really a problem in breast-conserving surgery?

Abstract

No evidence was found to suggest that surgical breast specimens shrink in the period between the surgical procedure and pathological examination, or following formalin fixation. The pathological appraisal of specimen margins and volumes is not affected by changes in specimen size. As calculations of specimen volumes are unreliable, the use of water displacement or the more readily available specimen weight is recommended for accurate volume measurement. Pathologists should be encouraged to always measure and record specimen weight.