Intraoperative Frozen Section Analysis Research Articles

Isolated retromammary lymph node metastasis of breast cancer without axillary lymph node involvement: a case report with a false-negative sentinel lymph node biopsy

A 54-year-old woman visited our hospital with a palpable tumor in her left breast, which was diagnosed as invasive ductal carcinoma. Breast-conserving surgery was performed, in association with a sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy and back-up dissection of the axillary lymph nodes. One dyed axillary lymph node with high radioactivity was defined as an SLN, and intraoperative frozen-section analysis of the SLN was negative for metastasis. The final pathological diagnosis of the tumor was invasive ductal carcinoma, and one small lymph node, located in the retromammary space, just under the tumor, was positive for metastasis. The backup axillary lymph nodes were not metastatic. This patient was diagnosed false-negative by SLN biopsy, despite being positive for retroMLN metastasis. It should be recognized that retroMLNs are difficult to detect preoperatively, or intra-operatively, using dye or radiocolloid, if they are located in the post-tumoral retro-mammary space. RetroMLNs may be a pitfall in SLN biopsies.

The Usefulness and Limitations of Intraoperative Frozen Section Analysis of Sentinel Lymph Nodes in Patients with Breast Cancer

Purpose: Intraoperative frozen sectioning (FS) of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) is widely used to determine whether total axillary lymph node dissection should be performed in patients with breast cancer. We evaluated the usefulness and limitations of the FS protocol, which has been used in our institution for the intraoperative SLN examination. Methods: We analyzed the FS results of SLNs in 807 invasive breast carcinoma patients who underwent intraoperative SLN biopsy between January 2005 and December 2007. Lymph nodes larger than 5 mm were sliced at 2 mm intervals and all the slices were submitted for FS. The remaining tissue of the SLN was formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded for permanent sectioning (PS). If the FS result was negative for tumor cells, then immunohistochemical stain for pancytokeratin was performed. The metastatic SLNs were graded according to the AJCC cancer staging manual (6th edition). The results of FS and PS were compared with regard to the pathologic diagnosis. Results: The average number of SLNs was 2.9 per patients. A total of 204 (25.3%) patients were reported to have a metastatic SLN(s) on the FS. Among the 603 patients with negative FS results, 34 (5.6%) patients showed metastasis on the PS. Another 10 (1.7%) patients who had negative results on FS showed isolated tumor cells on the PS or on the cytokeratin immunohistochemistry. Twenty-nine of the 34 (85.3%) false negative cases showed micrometastasis on the PS. Ten (29.4%) false negative results were caused by interpretation errors and 24 (70.6%) were caused by technical problems. Conclusion: The false negative rate of our protocol for FS of a SLN was low. The failure of FS was largely caused by the failure to detect micrometastasis. FS is a reliable method for an intraoperative SLN examination if a very stringent protocol is used.

Malignant Mesothelioma Presenting as a Thick-walled Hydrocele

Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive tumor arising from thoracic pleura or abdominal peritoneum. It is often associated with asbestos exposure. Malignant mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis is extremely rare and is usually associated with trauma or asbestos exposure. It always presents as an inguino-scrotal mass and can mimic hydrocele in pre-operative imaging. A 77-year-old man with no history of asbestos exposure or trauma presented with a 3-month history of a mass in the right side of the scrotum. A pre-operative sonogram revealed a thick-walled hydrocele. Although intraoperative frozen-section analysis of the wall of the hydrocele revealed no malignancy, an orchiectomy was performed because of the presence of a white-to-yellowish excretion found during incision and history of left hydrocelectomy. Histolopathologic examination of the resected testis confirmed a malignant mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis. There was no evidence of recurrence at 6-month follow-up.

Immediate latissimus dorsi miniflap volume replacement for partial mastectomy: use of intra-operative frozen sections to confirm negative margins

Background Latissimus dorsi (LD) miniflap volume replacement is used for immediate reconstruction after partial mastectomy. This prospectively collected series was analyzed to evaluate the accuracy of intraoperative frozen sections. Methods After partial mastectomy, “bed biopsies” were submitted for intraoperative frozen-section analysis. If disease free, volume replacement was undertaken; if involved, targeted re-excisions were taken. Demographic, pathological, and outcome data were recorded. The proportion of breast excised was calculated. Local recurrences were recorded. Results One hundred ten partial mastectomies with LD miniflap volume replacement were completed. The median proportion of breast excised was 28% (maximum 72%); median weight 207 g. Frozen sections were positive in 33% of patients with a sensitivity of 83% and accuracy of 96% when compared with paraffin sections. Local recurrence occurred in one case. The median follow-up was 41.4 months. Conclusions LD miniflap volume replacement extends the role of breast-conserving surgery. Frozen-section analysis of bed biopsies facilitates a single-stage procedure.

Intra-operative frozen section analysis of axillary sentinel nodes in breast cancer - Glasgow experience

Intra-operative frozen section analysis of axillary sentinel nodes in breast cancer - Glasgow experience

Intraoperative frozen section analysis for breast-conserving therapy in 1016 patients with breast cancer

Objective We evaluate the number of surgical two-stage procedures after FSA during breast-conserving therapy (clinical false negative result of FSA) and investigate the influence of microcalcifications, small tumour diameter, neoadjuvant therapy and preoperative biopsy on the clinical false negative rate of FSA. Subjects We retrospectively examined 1016 patients after intraoperative FSA during breast-conserving therapy for breast cancer operated between 1995 and 2001 at the Medical University Vienna. Results Only 9% of all patients had to undergo a two-stage operation due to a false negative intraoperative FSA result. The annual local recurrence rate was 1.2% in all patients with no difference between one- and two-stage operated patients. In situ and pT1 lesions were similarly distributed between one-stage and two-stage operated patients. The use of neoadjuvant therapy and stereotactic biopsy (reflecting non-palpable lesions and microcalcifications) were significantly predictive for a false negative FSA result. The use of a preoperative core biopsy, however, reduced the necessity of performing a two-stage operation. Conclusion Our study demonstrates that FSA leads to a low rate of two-stage operations. Small lesions and microcalcifications as well as the occurrence of intraductal cancer cells and neoadjuvant therapy increased while preoperative core biopsy reduced the false negative rate of FSA. Overall local recurrence rates after FSA were acceptable.

Evaluation and management of a patient with a bladder mass of uncertain etiology

A healthy, parous, nonsmoking, 36-year-old woman consulted her gynecologist for nonspecific bladder pain. Urinary tract infection was ruled out. Vaginal ultrasonography and MRI revealed an undefined tumor between the bladder and the uterus. The patient refused further testing until tumor growth was detected at a scheduled appointment 5 months after presentation. She was referred to a urology department at this time. Physical examination, urine culture, medical history, cystoscopy, MRI, angiography, intraoperative frozen section analysis, and final histology. Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the bladder. Management Partial cystectomy with complete excision of the tumor from the trigonal and posterior wall of the bladder by median laparotomy.

Parotid Tumors: Fine-Needle Aspiration and/or Frozen Section

Objective Assess the difficulties of preoperative and intraoperative tumor typing of parotid neoplasms. Know the advantages and pitfalls of fine-needle-aspiration cytology (FNAC) and frozen section (FS) analysis in primary parotid neoplasms. Methods In 113 parotid neoplasms (70 malignancies and 43 benign tumors) preoperative FNAC as well as intraoperative FS analysis were performed. FNAC and FS findings were analyzed and compared with the final histopathologic diagnosis. Results The FNAC smear was non-diagnostic in 6 tumors. In 2 FS specimens, it was not possible to determine the tumor dignity. FNAC findings and FS findings were both available in 105 neoplasMS The FNAC findings were true positive for malignancy in 54, true negative in 36, false positive in 4, and false negative in 11 tumors. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were 86%, 83%, and 90% respectively. The FS findings were true positive in 60, true negative in 38, false positive in 2, and false negative in 5 tumors. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were 93%, 92% and 95% respectively. The exact histologic tumor typing by FNAC was correct, false or not mentioned in 58%, 20% and 22% true positive or true negative evaluated tumors, and by FS in 83%, 5% and 12% true positive or true negative evaluated tumors. Conclusions The current analysis showed a superiority of FS compared with FNAC regarding the diagnosis of malignancy and especially of tumor typing. FNAC alone is not prone in many cases to determine the surgical management of primary parotid carcinomas.

A case of synchronous bilateral testicular seminoma

A previously healthy 51-year-old man with two children sustained a minor testicular trauma and subsequently sought medical care for persistent discomfort. Physical examination, scrotal ultrasonography, Doppler ultrasound evaluation of testicular blood flow, scrotal MRI, measurement of serum tumor markers and testosterone levels, CT of the chest, abdomen and pelvis, intraoperative frozen section analysis and final pathologic analysis. Bilateral testicular seminoma (clinical stage I). The patient initially underwent radical left orchiectomy with intraoperative frozen section analysis, which returned equivocal results. Final pathologic analysis revealed a 2.5 cm left testicular seminoma without vascular invasion. After careful discussion, he ultimately underwent radical right orchiectomy; pathologic analysis revealed a 2.7 cm right seminoma with vascular invasion. Testosterone replacement therapy was initiated. After further discussion, the patient elected to undergo adjuvant abdominal radiotherapy to a total of 25 Gy. The patient showed no evidence of disease over a post-treatment follow-up period of 24 months.

Importance of surgical margins in the management of renal cell carcinoma

Surgical resection remains the standard treatment for clinically localized renal cell carcinoma. Pathological features of the surgical specimen, including the margin status, play an important part in determining the patient's prognosis. Negative surgical margins have traditionally been sought to maximize the efficacy of treatment. Initial concerns that partial nephrectomy might have high local recurrence rates compared with radical nephrectomy have now been minimized as a result of technological advances and refinements in surgical technique. Current concerns in relation to partial nephrectomy include the width of parenchymal tissue that should be removed to avoid positive surgical margins, effects of positive margins on recurrence-free survival, and the use of frozen-section analysis to determine margin status. Size of the surgical margin in partial nephrectomy does not seem to affect the risk of local tumor recurrence, and not all positive surgical margins lead to recurrent disease. Intraoperative frozen-section analysis is not definitive and its value in guiding the surgical management of renal tumors remains to be defined. Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is emerging as an attractive approach for selected renal masses. Intraoperative use of ultrasound, cold-scissor parenchymal transection, embolization, and hilar clamping to achieve a bloodless operative field with clear visibility, may minimize the risk of positive margins during partial nephrectomy.

INTRAOPERATIVE FROZEN SECTION ANALYSIS DURING NERVE SPARING ROBOTIC ASSISTED LAPAROSCOPIC PROSTATECTOMY

You have accessJournal of Urology1 Apr 2008INTRAOPERATIVE FROZEN SECTION ANALYSIS DURING NERVE SPARING ROBOTIC ASSISTED LAPAROSCOPIC PROSTATECTOMY Brian A Link, Rebecca A Nelson, David Y Josephson, Laura E Crocitto, and Timothy G Wilson Brian A LinkBrian A Link More articles by this author , Rebecca A NelsonRebecca A Nelson More articles by this author , David Y JosephsonDavid Y Josephson More articles by this author , Laura E CrocittoLaura E Crocitto More articles by this author , and Timothy G WilsonTimothy G Wilson More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-5347(08)61784-XAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail "INTRAOPERATIVE FROZEN SECTION ANALYSIS DURING NERVE SPARING ROBOTIC ASSISTED LAPAROSCOPIC PROSTATECTOMY." The Journal of Urology, 179(4S), pp. 609–610 © 2008 by American Urological AssociationFiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 179Issue 4SApril 2008Page: 609-610 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2008 by American Urological AssociationMetricsAuthor Information Brian A Link More articles by this author Rebecca A Nelson More articles by this author David Y Josephson More articles by this author Laura E Crocitto More articles by this author Timothy G Wilson More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF DownloadLoading ...

Valeur de l’examen extemporané en pathologie thyroïdienne: Étude rétrospective de 1534 examens consécutifs

To assess the value of intraoperative frozen-section diagnosis in thyroid surgery and determine its limitations.This retrospective study examined the results of 1534 frozen sections of thyroid specimens analyzed over the 11-year period from 1995 through 2005 and their correlations with the final histological examination. Deferred responses were not taken into account for statistical calculations.In our series, frozen-section diagnosis was concordant with subsequent histopathological examination in 92% of cases, discordant in 3%, and deferred in 5%. The global specificity of frozen section analysis for all histological subtypes was 99.8% and its sensitivity 67%. Its sensitivity for thyroid cancer was lower in follicular (42%) and papillary carcinoma (64%) than medullary (100%), anaplastic (100%), secondary (100%), mixed (100%), and insular carcinomas (86%).In our series, as in the literature, most of the discordances between frozen-section and definitive diagnosis were associated with microfollicular lesions, which explain the low sensitivity of 67%. Our results demonstrate the reliability of intraoperative frozen-section analysis in thyroid surgery. Collaboration between pathologists, radiologists, and clinicians should be emphasized.

Intraoperative Frozen Section Analysis of Sentinel Lymph Node in Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

Recently, many studies have demonstrated the feasibility and accuracy of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy for patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). However, no studies have been conducted to evaluate the accuracy of frozen section (FS) analysis of SLN in NAC-treated patients. The aim was to evaluate the accuracy of intraoperative FS analysis of SLNs in breast cancer patients treated with NAC in comparison with that in those not treated. Patients with primary breast cancer either treated with NAC (n = 62) or not treated (n = 301) were included in this study. Intraoperatively, the largest cut surface (2-mm thickness) of the SLN was subjected to FS analysis. Remainders of the SLN were formalin-fixed, serially sectioned at 2-mm thickness, and subjected to H&E staining and immunohistochemistry. The largest diameter of metastases in the SLN was measured. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of FS analysis of SLNs were 74, 100, and 88%, respectively, for NAC-treated patients, similar to the corresponding values of 71, 99, and 90% for non-NAC-treated patients. The sensitivity of FS analysis for macrometastases was lower for NAC-treated patients (76%) than for non-NAC-treated patients (91%), while that for micrometastases and isolated tumor cells was higher for NAC-treated patients (67%) than for non-NAC-treated patients (31%). However, neither of these differences was statistically significant. Intraoperative FS analysis of SLNs is as accurate for NAC-treated as for non-NAC-treated patients, indicating that FS analysis of SLNs is a clinically acceptable method for those receiving NAC.

Intraoperative diagnosis of cancer metastasis in sentinel lymph node of oral cancer patients

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in the head and neck region is attracting attention. If intraoperative frozen section and/or cytology of SLN is available, one can select an appropriate patient who must undergo neck dissection in a one-stage procedure. We began intraoperative diagnosis of SLN biopsy in patients who underwent oral cancer surgery in 2003. From August 2003 to December 2006, 44 previously untreated patients were accumulated. All patients underwent SLN biopsy prior to the resection of primary cancer. Intraoperative diagnosis of SLN biopsy was performed by multislice frozen section analysis. Patients with positive SLN underwent immediate neck dissection in the same session. Imprint cytology specimen was prepared at the same time. The results of frozen section analysis and imprint cytology were compared with postoperative pathologic diagnosis of permanent specimens. The sensitivity, specificity, overall accuracy, positive and negative predictive value of intraoperative multislice frozen section analysis in lymph node basis were 90.9%, 100%, 99.1%, 100% and 99.0%, respectively. On the other hand, the indexes of imprint cytology were 27.3%, 99.0%, 92.0%, 75.0% and 92.6%, respectively. All indexes of intraoperative frozen section analysis were superior to imprint cytology. In our experience, multislice frozen section analysis surpasses imprint cytology in intraoperative diagnosis of SLN biopsy.

Tolerance of the aorta using intraoperative iodine-125 interstitial brachytherapy in cancer of the lung

Purpose A retrospective review to assess the efficacy and morbidity of surgical resection and 125I interstitial lung brachytherapy placed in approximation to the aorta. Methods and materials The records and postoperative films of 278 patients who had undergone intrathoracic 125I brachytherapy at our institution were reviewed. All patients had undergone a gross total resection of a non–small-cell lung cancer using segmental resection, wedge resection, or sublobar resection. Frozen section margins of resection were required to be negative before the intraoperative delivery of the implant. Of those reviewed, 29 patients were implanted with 125I impregnated Vicryl mesh that contacted greater than 50% with the aorta. Implants consisted of 125I seeds sewn into a nomographically guided geometric array. Only implants where 50% or greater of the implant volume directly approximated the aorta were selected for inclusion into this study. The mean aortic volume receiving the entire prescribed dose was 17.2 cc (mean surface area = 34.4 cm 2) and the mean prescribed dose was 114 Gy (range, 85–120) over the permanent life of the implant calculated by isodose curve distribution at a depth of 0.5 cm from the plane of the implant. Five patients have received postoperative mediastinal dose supplementation with external beam irradiation to further address occult mediastinal nodal disease not revealed during the intraoperative frozen section analysis. Results All patients tolerated the surgery and brachytherapy well with no perioperative mortality. With a median followup of 45.3 months (range, 1–117), 1 of the 29 patients suffered a fatal hemorrhage from suspected great vessel rupture. A review of this case demonstrated that the interstitial therapy had been supplemented with 4500 cGy of external irradiation, which overlapped a small portion of the implant volume overlying the aorta. No other patients suffered even minor events referable to the implant and have continued to do well without symptomatic evidence of chronic sequelae as of the publication of this article or the time of their death. Local control has been achieved in all patients still living and had been achieved in all patients who died from subsequent progression of metastatic disease or other cause. Conclusions Interstitial 125I intrathoracic brachytherapy is a safe and effective method when used with sublobar resection in high-risk stage I non–small-cell lung cancer patients and may be used even in situations that require placement of the sources in close approximation to the aorta. The tolerance of the aorta seems to be greater than previously thought, and may well exceed 12,000 cGy over the permanent life of the interstitial implant. Interstitial 125I brachytherapy can safely be used to deliver significant radiation dose in direct contact with the aorta but supplemental, overlapping external beam irradiation should be avoided.

Contemporary Results with Ampullectomy for 29 “Benign” Neoplasms of the Ampulla

Ampullectomy may be an appropriate oncologic procedure in selected patients. Sparse data exist on procedure-related complications and the relationship between histologic analysis and outcomes. We retrospectively reviewed our experience with ampullectomy in 29 patients with a preoperative benign histologic diagnosis over 15 years (1991 to 2006). Presenting signs, symptoms, and preoperative diagnostic studies were reviewed. Postoperative complications and followup for recurrence were recorded. The abilities of preoperative histologic biopsy, intraoperative frozen section, and final histologic analysis to guide management and predict outcomes were determined. Median age was 63 years. Jaundice was present in 30% of patients. Median length of hospital stay was 9 days. Forty-five percent of patients had a complication, and there was one postoperative mortality (3%). Ampullary adenomatous neoplasms were present in 89% of patients. Preoperative biopsy had complete concordance with final pathology in 76% of patients. Preoperative biopsy and intraoperative frozen section failed to identify carcinoma in four patients. Pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed within 7 days in the postoperative period in three of these patients. After ampullectomy (median followup=16 months), recurrences were identified in two patients (8%) with benign tumors. No patients with high-grade dysplasia (n=4) have had recurrence. Preoperative biopsy and intraoperative frozen section analysis have limitations in the management of patients undergoing ampullectomy. High-grade dysplasia on preoperative biopsy is not an absolute contraindication to ampullectomy. Morbidity of ampullectomy is significant, but longterm outcomes of this procedure, in patients without invasive malignancy, are acceptable.

Frozen section‐guided wide local excision in the treatment of penoscrotal extramammary Paget’s disease

To analyse the clinicopathological characteristics of penoscrotal extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) and to discuss the outcomes after frozen section-guided wide local excision. From 1990 to 2005, at our institution, 38 patients with penoscrotal EMPD received wide local excision with intraoperative frozen-section analysis. Their medical records were reviewed for patient demographics, lesion characteristics, surgical margin status, and clinical outcome. No patients had EMPD secondary to a non-cutaneous malignancy; 23 patients had intraepithelial EMPD, 12 had invasive EMPD and three had EMPD with underlying adnexal adenocarcinoma. The median (range) largest diameter of the lesion was 6 (1-20) cm. Of 38 patients, 12 (32%) had positive frozen-section results and had extended surgical excision until a negative margin was obtained. Additional margin examination of the gross specimen and final examination of the frozen sections showed that five patients had false-negative results. There was a microscopic positive margin in 15 of 38 (40%) patients when a conventional 2 cm clinical tumour-free border was maintained. Skin erythematous patches were significantly correlated with the spread of disease (P = 0.03). After a median (range) follow-up of 33.5 (3-140) months, six of 38 (16%) patients had recurrent disease, of whom only two had recurrent skin lesions, while four had systemic progression. Frozen section-guided wide local excision gave an acceptable recurrence rate in the treatment of penoscrotal EMPD. Primary EMPD with dermal invasion should be actively monitored for possible aggressive behaviour.

Intraoperative Frozen-Section Analysis for Thyroid Nodules

To determine accuracy and intertest agreement of preoperative fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and intraoperative frozen-section analysis (FS) findings in thyroid surgery, and to assess the influence of intraoperative FS findings on decision making and the utility of FS in thyroid surgery. Retrospective analysis. The results of preoperative FNAC, intraoperative FS, and final histopathological analyses were taken from the histopathology reports. We calculated intertest agreement using the kappa statistic. Two-hundred fifteen patients who underwent primary thyroid surgery. All patients were treated by the same surgeon (S.J.W.). T he sensitivity and specificity of FNAC were 57.4% and 91.7%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of FS were 32.4% and 96.5%, respectively. The intertest agreement was poor (kappa = 0.17). In case of malignant FNAC findings, the FS result did not influence treatment decisions; in case of a malignant FS result on the background of a benign, indeterminate, or nondiagnostic FNAC finding, the FS result influenced treatment decisions in 88% of cases. Intraoperative FS did not give additional information in cases where a malignant neoplasm was predicted by the FNAC finding. In this setting, it led to conflicting results and did not contribute to correct decision making.

Sentinel Node Biopsy for Oral and Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

The aims were to assess the technical feasibility of sentinel node biopsy (SNB), to validate SNB against elective neck dissection, and to report the results of the clinical application of the SNB concept for early oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Prospective consecutive cohort analysis. Between 2000 and 2006, a total of 79 patients were included. Lymphatic mapping consisted of preoperative lymphoscintigraphy and intraoperative use of a hand-held gammaprobe. Twenty-eight patients were assessed for feasibility and validation; the SNB was done in context with an elective neck dissection. Fifty-one patients were evaluated in an observational trial; elective neck dissection was performed only in case of positive SNB. Validation revealed a sentinel node detection rate by lymphoscintigraphy of 93%, with the gammaprobe of 100%. The negative predictive value of a negative SNB was 100%. During the observational trial 40% of the patients were upstaged as a result of a positive SNB. Intraoperative frozen section analysis showed a negative predictive value of 83%. Two patients (6%) with negative SNB experienced a neck recurrence, the negative predictive value of SNB was therefore 94%. Patients with positive SNB were treated successfully with elective neck dissection. SNB is technically feasible and reproducible with a high sentinel node detection rate. Validation against elective neck dissection revealed a negative predictive value of 100%. Application of the SNB concept in clinical practice was very successful. The recurrence rate within the neck was very low and the morbidity and cost of an elective neck dissection could be spared to 60% of the patients.

Frozen Section Analysis for Intraoperative Margin Assessment During Breast-Conserving Surgery Results in Low Rates of Re-excision and Local Recurrence

Negative surgical margins minimize the risk of local recurrence after breast-conserving surgery. Intraoperative frozen section analysis (FSA) is one method for margin evaluation. We retrospectively analyzed records of patients who received breast-conserving therapy with intraoperative FSA of the lumpectomy cavity to assess re-excision rates and local control. Records were retrospectively reviewed for individuals who underwent breast-conserving surgery for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or invasive carcinoma between 1993 and 2003. Inclusion criteria were a minimum of 2 years follow-up and intact tumor at the time of operation. The major outcome measure was local recurrence. The Kaplan-Meier test was used to evaluate local recurrence rates between groups. 290 subjects with an average age of 57.2 years (range 27-89) underwent 292 lumpectomies with FSA. 11.3% had DCIS, 73.3% had infiltrating ductal, 5.8% had infiltrating lobular, and 9.6% exhibited other forms of invasive carcinoma. 70 subjects underwent additional resection at the time of breast surgery, 16 underwent subsequent re-excision, and 17 underwent subsequent mastectomy. At a median follow-up of 53.4 months (range 5.8-137.8), there were six local recurrences (2.74%) in patients who had breast-conserving procedures and two local recurrences in patients who underwent mastectomy. There were no statistically significant associations among local recurrence rate, tumor size, nodal status, or overall stage. Local recurrences were higher in patients with DCIS compared with invasive carcinoma, and tumors >2cm. Intraoperative FSA allows resection of suspicious or positive margins at the time of lumpectomy and results in low rates of local recurrence and re-excision. The low local recurrence rate reported here is comparable to those reported with other margin assessment techniques.