Frozen section of lymph nodes in uterine cervical carcinoma

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of frozen section examination of lymph nodes in cervical cancer. Methods: This retrospective study was based on 55 patients with stage Ib or IIa invasive cervical carcinoma treated by surgery followed by irradiation. All patients underwent a pelvic lymphadenectomy with frozen section analysis of lymph nodes. Results: A total of 1249 nodes were removed (23 per patient) and 501 nodes (40 %) were examined during the frozen section analysis. The sensitivity of frozen sections analysis in detecting metastatic nodes was 89 %, its specificity and positive predictive value was 100 % and its negative predictive value was 97 %. Conclusions: The frozen section diagnosis of pelvic nodes should be performed in patients with a small cervical carcinoma to avoid systematic para-aortic lymphadenectomy. This is an accurate procedure and should be carried out on obturator, external iliac and common iliac nodes.