The Accuracy of Frozen Section Biopsy in the Diagnosis of Gynecologic Tumors / 대한산부인과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Frozen-section evaluation of gynecologic tumors has historically been used to establish a histopatholgic diagnosis and to guide surgeons in appropriate surgical procedure. this study is to assess the clinical appropriation and accuracy of frozen-section biopsy in gynecologic tumors. METHODS: This is a retrospective quality assurance study all of frozen-section biopsy done at Chungnam National University Hospital during a three year period (1995 to 1997). There were 125 cases out of 2310 surgical specimens for gynecologic tumors, and the results were compared with final diagnoses based on fixed tissue specimens. RESULTS: Frozen section biopsy was accurate in 95.2% of all cases, in 96.3% (104/108) of ovarian tumor cases, and in 88.2% (15/17) of uterine tumor cases. Analysis of 6 inaccuracy cases revealed that most cases were sampling errors and occurred in mucinous tumor, belonging to all cases of ovarian tumors. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of frozen-section biopsy in ovarian tumors were 0.94, 1.00, 1, 00, 0.97. CONCLUSION: Frozen section biopsy is an appropriate method as a basic guideline during operations of gynecologic tumors and this method can obtains the highest accuracy when there is cooperation between experienced surgeons and reliable and careful pathologists. The accuracy of frozen section diagnosis has important implications regarding the type and extent of the primary surgery for gynecologic tumors.