Intralesional cryosurgery feasible for BCC in elderly

(HealthDay)—Intralesional cryosurgery is feasible for treating basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the lower extremities in elderly patients, according to a study published in the March issue of the International Journal of Dermatology.

Yaron Har-Shai, M.D., from the Carmel Medical Center in Haifa, Israel, and colleagues examined the efficacy of intralesional cryosurgery in the treatment of BCC of the lower limbs. Eight patients aged older than 60 years with a total of 10 biopsy-confirmed nodular or superficial BCCs of the lower limbs were enrolled. An intralesional cryosurgery needle (CryoShape) was inserted into the tumor to facilitate its complete freezing using liquid nitrogen. Biopsy taken about three months after complete healing of the cryo-wound was used to confirm treatment success.

The researchers found that lesions were an average of 2.49 cm². The mean recovery time from surgery was 79.9 days. At a mean of 85.3 days after the wound had healed, biopsies were taken; complete tumor destruction was confirmed in all 10 biopsies. Over a follow-up period of 28 months, there was no evidence of wound infection or tumor recurrence.

"This study demonstrates that a single intralesional cryosurgery session can completely eradicate BCC on the lower extremities in elderly patients," the authors write. "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."

One author disclosed financial ties to intralesional cryosurgery technology.