title: Clear cell acanthoma successfully treated with a carbon dioxide laser.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The treatment of choice for clear cell acanthoma (CCA) is excision. Resolution after cryotherapy has also been reported but requires three to four courses of treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To demonstrate three CCA lesions in two patients successfully treated with a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser.
  
  
  METHODS
  Under local anesthesia, these lesions were vaporized by using a CO2 laser in the Silktouch mode with a spot size of 5 mm and a fluence of 20 J/cm2. Two to six passes, as needed, were delivered until the tumor was completely removed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pain was minimal or nonexistent during and after the operation. No postoperative edema was noted. The wounds healed satisfactorily without scarring. No sign of recurrence was found following operation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The CO2 laser has the advantages of requiring only one course, precise tumor removal, a relatively bloodless surgical field, a short operation time, and less or no postoperative pain and edema. Postoperative wound care is convenient and easy with hydrocolloid and alginate dressings. The patient's quality of life is less adversely affected. The CO2 laser may be appropriate for multiple CCAs, giant CCA, CCA overlying or near joints, CCA refractory to cryotherapy, patients on anticoagulants, and those who cannot tolerate pain from cryotherapy, especially children and the elderly.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Chiayi, 6 Sec. West, Chia-Pu Road, Putz, Chiayi 61363, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ching-Chi
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chi
authors.forename: Shu-Hui
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Huei-Sheng
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen; D049309:Acanthoma / Q000601:surgery*; D000368:Aged; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide