How accurate is frozen section for skin cancers?

ABSTRACT

Frozen section analysis has been used to increase the likelihood of complete excision of skin cancers and to minimize the risk for recurrence. The question of its accuracy has been addressed in many studies and this article adds data to the discussion. A retrospective study was performed of 60 consecutive cases in which frozen section diagnoses were compared with permanent sections. It was found that in 85% of the cases the frozen sections were accurate compared with the permanent sections, but in 13% of the total cases the margins were less than 1 mm. These results concur with the literature. The surgery and pathological examinations were performed in a community hospital in which there was no dermatopathologist. The authors review the limitations of frozen section diagnosis in skin cancers and show that frozen section may be necessary in select cases but not in most skin cancers.