In surgical pathology, FS stands for Frozen Section. This is a technique used during surgical procedures to obtain a rapid diagnosis of a lesion. When a surgeon is performing an operation and encounters an abnormal tissue, they may want to know immediately whether it is benign or malignant.
The frozen section process involves taking a small sample of the tissue and rapidly freezing it using a cryostat. Once frozen, the tissue can be thinly sliced and examined under a microscope by a pathologist. The quick turnaround time allows for immediate decision-making regarding surgical margins and further treatment.
Utilizing frozen sections is a critical aspect of intraoperative consultation, helping to guide surgeons during procedures to ensure they remove all cancerous tissue and preserve as much healthy tissue as possible.