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Topical chemotherapy for pigmented and epithelial tumors of the conjunctiva
Author(s) -
Desjardins L.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2016.0073
Subject(s) - medicine , mitomycin c , chemotherapy , conjunctiva , melanoma , basal cell , dermatology , cornea , adjuvant chemotherapy , adjuvant , alpha interferon , toxicity , surgery , pathology , oncology , interferon , cancer , cancer research , ophthalmology , immunology , breast cancer
Summary Topical chemotherapy drops are very useful in the treatment of conjunctival malignancies. Mitomycine drops can be used for in situ squamous cells carcinomas. We use the 0.02% as an adjuvant therapy when the carcinoma has been surgically removed and (15 days treatment, stop 15 days and again 15 days of treatment) 0.04% drops if there is incomplete removal of the tumor. In some rare instances, mitomycine drops can be used to reduce the tumor volume for invasive squamous cells carcinoma before surgery. Mitomycine 0.04% is also very useful in the treatment of primary acquired melanosis. (cycles of 8 days or 15 days according to local tolerance) We limit the use of such a treatment to patients who have atypical cells or have already developed a previous malignant melanoma. Toxicity of mitomycin drops on the cornea is higher with the 0.04% drops and careful follow up is warranted. Drops of interferon alpha can also be used. They are less toxic but the treatment needs to be applied several months and the cost is higher.