Assessing the histological type and grade of primary parotid carcinoma by fine-needle aspiration and frozen section

Objective: The aim of this study is to compare preoperative fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and intraoperative frozen section (FS) for the correct identification of malignancy, histological grade, and histological type. Methods: FNAC was performed on all 105 patients and FS on 71 patients with parotid carcinoma. Results: The rate of correctly determining the histological grade by FNAC and FS was 32% and 73%, respectively. The correct diagnosis rate for both the histological type and grade by FNAC and FS was 20% and 48%, respectively. Conclusions: The correct grading of both high and low/intermediate grade carcinoma is possible in 70-80% of patients by FS. If the histological grade is identified correctly, the extent of resection can usually be decided appropriately. Therefore, we should put emphasis on determining the histological grade. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.