Frozen section examination of the margins for resection of squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip.
OBJECTIVE
Our goal was to evaluate the role of frozen section margin examination in the surgical management of squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip.


METHODS
We reviewed frozen section examination of the resection surfaces of 131 consecutive patients surgically treated for squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip during the period January 1980 to January 1999. When invasive carcinoma or carcinoma in situ was present at the resection surface, the margin was defined as positive and re-resection was performed.


RESULTS
A peroperative positive margin was seen in 18 of 131 (14%). In 8 patients (6%), a local recurrence developed.


CONCLUSIONS
Frozen section examination for margin assessment in the surgical treatment of lip cancer is a reliable technique to control the radicality of the procedure; a secondary surgical procedure or postoperative radiotherapy can be reduced. However, a tumor-free resection surface does not guarantee that local recurrence will not occur.
Gooris
Peter J J
PJ
Department of Oral and Maxillogacial Surgery, Amphia Hospita Brenda, The Netherland. gooris@planet.nl
Vermey
Bert
B
de Visscher
Jan G A M
JG
Roodenburg
Jan L N
JL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005629:Frozen Sections / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D008048:Lip Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies