The Accuracy of Frozen Section in the Diagnosis of Ovarian Tumors.

Choi, H J; Lee, S K; Jin, K S; Kim, S B

Original Article

Korean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 1999;42(6):1217-1221.
Published online January 1, 2001.

The Accuracy of Frozen Section in the Diagnosis of Ovarian Tumors.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To determine the accuracy of frozen section diagnosis in ovarian tumors METHODS: The results of frozen section diagnosis of 88 ovarian tumors from 1992 through 1995 in our institute were compare with the results of final pathologic diagnosis. RESULTS: The final histopathologic diagnosis was benign for 53 cases, borderline malignancy for 11 cases and malignancy for 24 cases. Sensitivity of frozen section diagnosis for malignancy and borderline was 91.4%, and benign 98.1%. Positive predictive value of malignant, borderline and benign was 87.5%, 66.7% and 94.5%, respectively. Diagnostic problems occurred in borderline tumors and mucinous tumors. CONCLUSION: To accurate diagnosis, it is advisable to obtain multiple section for frozen section, especially in large tumors. Surgeon and pathologist must be aware of the limitation of frozen section diagnosis and careful examination with sampling of any suspicious lesion must be carried out. This may avoid a second unnecessary staging laparotomy, if the final diagnosis is malignant.

Key Words: Frozen section, ovarian tumor, diagnosis