Factors influencing the use of frozen section analysis in adnexal masses.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the factors that influence the use of frozen section analysis in adnexal masses and the factors that predict malignancy.

METHODS: The study participants were women scheduled for adnexal mass surgery in 11 hospitals between 2005 and 2009. Factors that potentially influenced the use of frozen section analysis and potentially predicted malignancy were studied, such as menopausal status, CA 125 level, ultrasound characteristics, presence of adhesions, and tumor size. We used univariable and multivariable analyses to assess the factors.

RESULTS: A total of 670 patients were included in the study. The frozen section analyses for 323 patients (48%) showed 206 benign, 55 borderline, and 62 malignant adnexal masses. The CA 125 level, locularity of the tumor, and presence of solid areas predicted both the use of frozen section analysis and the presence of malignancy. The presence of adhesions predicted malignancy, but not the use of frozen section analysis. Menopausal status and tumor size predicted the use of frozen section analysis, but not malignancy.

CONCLUSION: Menopausal status and tumor size are associated with more use of frozen section analysis, but they have not been identified as factors associated with malignancy. Frozen section analysis is useful when the CA 125 levels are greater than 35 units/mL and when there are multilocular tumors, solid areas on ultrasonography, and adhesions revealed during surgery.