Frozen Section Analysis of an Ovarian Mass and Fertility-Sparing Surgery: Can We Rely on It?

Abstract

Abstract

Background: When a complex ovarian mass is discovered, surgery is often, if not always, indicated. Intraoperative frozen-section examination of tumors is used widely to determine the proper course of therapy for patients who are in the reproductive age group, because attention is now focused on fertility-sparing surgical approaches. Case: Herein, this article presents a case of a complex ovarian mass in a young woman who desired future fertility, but frozen section analysis revealed equivocal results—a final histologic analysis revealed ovarian carcinoma in addition to the borderline ovarian tumor that had already been noted. Consequently, the authors performed a secondary laparotomy on the patient's third postoperative day. Excision of the uterus and contralataleral ovary was carried out. She also had 6 courses of chemotherapy with taxol and carboplatin. Results: This patient's postoperative course was uneventful. No recurrence was noted 3 months after chemotherapy, which she tolerated well, experiencing only minor side-effects. Computed tomography scans after chemotherapy showed no evidence of disease. Conclusions: The final histologic results may be awaited, before an operation that would eradicate the patient's fertility is performed, although this could lead to an additional laparotomy. (J GYNECOL SURG: 29:31)