title: [Cryosurgery of basal cell carcinoma: a study of 358 patients].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cryosurgery is a well-established therapeutic modality for basal cell carcinoma. We report herein an important series of basal cell carcinoma treated by cryosurgery, with a five year cure rate evaluation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study with 395 basal cell carcinomas (over 358 patients - sex ratio H/F: 0.85) treated by cryosurgery between 1981 and 1992. For each patient the data were: age, sex, size of the lesion, location, clinical sub-type, tissue-temperature monitoring, recurrence date and esthetic outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The lesions were located on the face (93 p. 100) and back (7 p. 100). Mean size was 17 mm. Clinical sub-types were known for 178 lesions; 11 p. 100 of BCC were morpheaform. Tissue-temperature monitoring was performed for 55 p. 100 of cases. 111 tumors were observed for more than 5 years. The 5-year actuarial failure rate was 9 p. 100. The 5-year cure rate was not significantly altered by sex, size of lesions, location and clinical sub-type. No frequent recurrences were observed when tissue-temperature monitoring had not been performed. Complications were rare and esthetic outcome was good.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 5-year actuarial recurrence rate with cryosurgery is similar to conventional surgery. It is not essential to control tissue-temperature for preventing recurrences. Cryosurgery is a reliable treatment and outcome depends on surgeon experience. Quickness and low cost of this procedure argue for choosing cryosurgery when treating elderly patients.
authors.affiliation: Service de Dermatologie, CHU Robert-Debré, 51092 Reims Cedex, France.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bernardeau
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Derancourt
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cambie
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Salmon-Ehr
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morel
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cavenelle
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Léonard
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kalis
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bernard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003452:Cryosurgery; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*