The accuracy of frozen section analysis at hysterectomy in patients with atypical endometrial hyperplasia

Abstract

Purpose of investigation: To evaluate the accuracy of frozen section analysis in patients with atypical endometrial hyperplasia. Methods: Women who underwent hysterectomy with frozen section analysis for atypical endometrial hyperplasia were identified. Frozen section evaluation aimed to give information about the presence of malignancy. Also, myometrial or cervical involvement was assessed in cases with malignancy to reveal the need for staging. Final pathological evaluation results were compared with intraoperative frozen section analyses. Results: Twelve patients (34.3%) had endometrial cancer on final pathologic examination and eight required a staging procedure due to either myometrial invasion or cervical involvement; 75% of patients with endometrial cancer were successfully detected by frozen section analysis. Moreover, among women with cancer, frozen section examination revealed 75% of cases who required surgical staging. Conclusion: Frozen section analysis of hysterectomy specimens in patients with atypical endometrial hyperplasia is necessary to determine the presence of cancer and the need for surgical staging.