The biology of head and neck cancer. Detection and control by parallel histologic sections

Microscopic fingers of epidermoid cancer can extend submucosally 1 to 3 cm from grossly discernible borders of upper aerodigestive tract cancers. These fingers are best detected by sectioning all surgical margins parallel to the margins. Microscopic disease was found at the original excisional margins in 75% of 70 cases. Using this principle for frozen-section evaluation, and reexcising further tissue as indicated, local disease was completely controlled in all 24 patients eligible for two-year follow-up.