# Intraoperative Assessment of Margin Accuracy in Patients Diagnosed With Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Tertiary Hospital of Jharkhand: Frozen Section Versus Histopathology

## TL;DR

This study compares the accuracy of frozen section and histopathology in determining surgical margins for oral cancer patients, finding frozen sections to be reliable.

## Contribution

The study provides empirical evidence on the reliability of frozen sections for margin assessment in oral squamous cell carcinoma surgeries.

## Key findings

- Frozen section showed 58.33% sensitivity, 98.76% specificity, and 95.25% accuracy in margin assessment.
- Males were more affected, with a male-to-female ratio of 6:1.
- Left buccal mucosa was the most common tumor site.

## Abstract

Background

The incidence of head and neck carcinoma is increasing. The use of an intraoperative frozen section plays a vital role in the evaluation of margin status in patients undergoing surgery for oral squamous cell carcinoma. A negative margin is not only an indication of successful surgery but also decreases the recurrence of disease and improves the overall survival of patients.

Aims and objective

The aim of this study is to assess the accuracy of margin in patients undergoing surgery for oral squamous cell carcinoma by intraoperative frozen section and compare it with conventional histopathological examination.

Methodology

The approach of our study was a hospital-based prospective study conducted on 28 patients diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma. A frozen section was done on all patients undergoing surgery and compared with histopathological examination.

Results

Out of 28 patients undergoing surgery, the incidence of males was more than females, with a ratio of 6:1. The most common site of the tumor was left buccal mucosa comprising 28.57%, followed by gingivobuccal sulcus comprising 17.85%. In our study, the frozen assessed margin showed a sensitivity of 58.33%, specificity of 98.76%, and accuracy of 95.25%.

Conclusion

Frozen section is a reliable method for confirmation of margin accuracy and thus reduces the chance of re-surgery and recurrence of disease and increases overall patient survival.