Precision Surgery through Rapid Histopathological Testing: A Case Study at Tam Anh General Hospital in Vietnam.

Rapid histopathological testing, or frozen biopsy, is a valuable tool for determining the nature of tumors, body tissues, or lymph nodes with 92% accuracy within 15-30 minutes. Dr. Nguyen Van Thai, Deputy Pathologist at Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, explained that this method is conducted concurrently with surgery to provide accurate treatment guidance and improve the success rate of surgery and subsequent treatment.

Frozen biopsy is particularly useful in evaluating whether there are still malignant cells present in the margin section during melanoma surgery. This allows doctors to plan appropriate follow-up treatments and optimize patient care by reducing the need for repeat surgeries based solely on medical experience. Dr. Huynh Ba Tan from the Department of Breast Surgery at Tam Anh General Hospital highlighted the importance of frozen biopsy in enabling accurate surgical decisions and preventing unnecessary complications.

In cases of early-stage breast cancer, frozen sentinel lymph node biopsy is crucial when there are no apparent abnormalities in axillary lymph nodes observed through ultrasound and mammogram results. The sentinel lymph node plays a critical role in determining the risk of cancer cell spread to other lymph nodes in the armpit. By removing the sentinel lymph node and assessing for malignant cells, doctors can make informed decisions regarding further treatment steps for patients like Ms. Hong, who was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer at age 40.

Prior to advancements in frozen biopsy techniques, breast cancer patients typically underwent removal of all axillary lymph nodes regardless of cancer stage, often leading to complications such as lymphedema characterized by arm swelling, pain, and limited mobility. With rapid testing and accurate interpretation through frozen biopsy procedures like those carried out at Tam Anh General Hospital’s Pathology Unit during Ms. Hong’s surgery, patients can benefit from tailored treatment plans that minimize complications while effectively removing cancerous tissue.

In conclusion, rapid histopathological testing or frozen biopsy is an essential tool for surgeons to determine if a tumor is benign or malignant with high accuracy within 15-30 minutes. It helps surgeons make informed decisions regarding treatment options based on accurate results which ultimately improves patient outcomes by reducing postoperative complications and improving overall treatment efficacy.

It’s also worth noting that frozen sentinel lymph node biopsy plays a vital role in determining the risk of cancer cell spread to other lymph nodes in cases of early-stage breast cancer when there are no apparent abnormalities seen through ultrasound and mammogram results.

Overall advancements in frozen biopsy techniques have allowed for more tailored treatment plans that minimize complications while effectively removing cancerous tissue as seen in Ms. Hong’s case where her axillary lymph nodes were preserved along with her nipples while effectively removing the cancerous tissue during her surgery at Tam Anh General Hospital’s Pathology Unit.