Toluidine blue and hematoxylin and eosin stains are comparable in evaluating squamous cell carcinoma during mohs

Andrew R. Styperek, Leonard H. Goldberg, Laura E. Goldschmidt, Arash Kimyai-Asadi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND Histologic examination of tissue is the foundation of Mohs micrographic surgery because determination of surgical margins influences whether additional tissue will be taken. Currently, there is no large focused study comparing toluidine blue (TB) and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stains in the evaluation of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). OBJECTIVE This study evaluates whether TB and H&E are comparable in assessing the presence of tumor in frozen sections of SCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred eighty-six randomized slides representing 93 tissue pieces from 36 tumors were examined by 3 Mohs surgeons (1 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education fellow and 2 fellowship-trained surgeons) and compared using a template that documented the presence and location of tumor on the slides. RESULTS The evaluation of SCC with H&E and TB stains was highly concordant, with concordant identification of SCC in 96%, 96%, and 94% of tissue layers among the 3 Mohs surgeons ARS, LHG, and AK-A, respectively. CONCLUSION Toluidine blue and H&E stains are statistically similar in their ability to detect SCC and guide Mohs surgical decision-making.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1279-1284
Number of pages6
JournalDermatologic Surgery
Volume42
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2016

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Dermatology

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