A case report of laser resurfacing as a skin cancer prophylaxis.
BACKGROUND
Many patients suffer from multiple nonmelanoma skin cancers. We recently encountered two such patients who requested some form of prophylaxis against future skin cancers.


OBJECTIVE
To highlight the potential utility of laser resurfacing as a skin cancer prophylaxis.


METHODS
Two patients with histories of multiple facial skin cancers were treated with CO2 laser resurfacing for the purpose of skin cancer prophylaxis.


RESULTS
During a follow-up period of 33 and 52 months, both patients have remained free of skin cancers in the main treatment field while developing new tumors outside of this area.


CONCLUSIONS
Laser resurfacing should be considered as a potential method of achieving skin cancer prophylaxis in selected patients.
Massey
R A
RA
Department of Dermatology, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA.
Eliezri
Y D
YD
D000368:Aged; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*