Pathologist how-to

How to Perform a Frozen Section

Fast diagnosis guides surgery.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
Quick answer

Fast diagnosis guides surgery. In short: receive; select; freeze, then complete the remaining steps below.

Step by step

  1. Receive and orient the specimen.

  2. Select the area.

  3. Freeze and cut the tissue.

  4. Stain the slide.

  5. Interpret quickly.

  6. Call the surgeon with results.

Safety reminders for pathologists

  • Handle specimens with biosafety precautions
  • Use formalin safely
  • Follow sharps safety
  • Ensure correct specimen labeling

Histology · Biopsy · Frozen section · H&E stain · Immunohistochemistry · Margin: see the full pathologist glossary.

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