[The value of intraoperative rapid biopsy study in diagnosis of breast cancer]

432 biopsies of mammary tumours performed between 1988 and 1990 were reviewed to evaluate the accuracy of rapid frozen section diagnosis. 15 (3.47%) had to be deferred to await subsequent permanent paraffin section. There were 4 (2.55%) false negative diagnoses. These cases consisted of small, nonpalpable and in-situ lesions. No false positive diagnosis was noted during the observation period. Sensitivity of frozen section histology was 97.45%, specificity 100% and efficiency 96.53%. Rapid frozen section diagnosis is a highly accurate and reliable tool which helps to avoid a consecutive operation in patients with breast cancer.