Histological examination of surgical margins involves several key steps: 1. Gross Examination: The pathologist first inspects the removed tissue visually and palpates it to identify suspicious areas. 2. Tissue Processing: The tissue is then fixed, typically in formalin, to preserve cellular structures. After fixation, it is embedded in paraffin wax and thin sections are cut using a microtome. 3. Staining: These sections are stained, commonly with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E), to highlight cellular details. 4. Microscopic Analysis: The stained sections are examined under a microscope to identify any residual malignant cells at the margins.
