Frozen section examination of the margins for resection of squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip.

OBJECTIVES

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

MATERIALS AND 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.