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Intralesional cryosurgery for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma of the lower extremities in elderly subjects: a feasibility study
Author(s) -
HarShai Yaron,
Sommer Adir,
Gil Tamir,
Krausz Judit,
GalOr Nir,
Mettanes Issa,
Lavi Idit,
Eyal Nir,
Brizgalin Leonid,
Taran Amir,
HarShai Lior,
Elmalach Irit
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
international journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-4632
pISSN - 0011-9059
DOI - 10.1111/ijd.13168
Subject(s) - medicine , cryosurgery , surgery , basal cell carcinoma , biopsy , thrombosis , cryoablation , cancer , carcinoma , basal cell , ablation
Background Incidences of basal cell carcinoma ( BCC ) on the lower extremities in elderly patients are rising. Surgical approaches to the treatment of BCC are subject to possible difficulties in healing, failure of skin grafts, and wound infection. This study assessed the efficacy of intralesional cryosurgery in the treatment of BCC of the lower limbs in elderly patients. Methods This study included eight patients aged >60 years in whom a total of 10 nodular or superficial BCC s of the lower limbs were confirmed by biopsy. The patients' medical histories revealed comorbidities including hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, venous insufficiency, and deep vein thrombosis of the legs, congestive heart failure, chronic renal failure, and ischemic heart disease. Using liquid nitrogen, an intralesional cryosurgery needle (CryoShape) was inserted into the tumor to facilitate its complete freezing. Treatment success was confirmed by biopsy taken approximately 3 months after complete healing of the cryo‐wound. Results The average size of the lesions treated was 2.49 cm 2 (16.4 × 15.2 mm). Mean recovery time was 79.9 days. Biopsies were obtained at a mean of 85.3 days after the wound had healed. All 10 biopsies verified the complete destruction of the tumor. There was no evidence of wound infection or tumor recurrence over a follow‐up period of 28 months. Conclusions This study demonstrates that a single intralesional cryosurgery session can completely eradicate BCC on the lower extremities in elderly patients. This technique is associated with relatively minor complications, is well tolerated, and represents a safe and effective therapeutic modality for BCC of the lower limbs.