[Intraoperative pathology in head and neck tumors].

Intraoperative pathology plays a central role during surgical interventions where precise margin assessment and evaluation of tumor dignity are critical for balancing functional preservation and oncological safety. In otorhinolaryngology, the method is used particularly in squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of the oral cavity, pharynx and larynx. The diagnostic accuracy is generally high for SCC but varies depending on the anatomical site and is particularly limited by pretreatment processes, such as radiotherapy or neoadjuvant chemotherapy. For non-SCC entities, such as salivary gland tumors or lymphomas, the diagnostic value of intraoperative pathology is considerably more limited. New technologies such as stimulated Raman histology and rapid immunohistochemistry could accelerate and further refine intraoperative diagnostics in the head and neck region in the future.