The efficacy of intralesional cryosurgery in the treatment of small- and medium-sized basal cell carcinoma: A pilot study.
BACKGROUND
Cryotherapy has been used in treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC). In 1993, Weshahy described his technique for applying cryotherapy in depth, i.e. intralesional cryosurgery (ILC), using Weshahy's cryoneedles.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the clinical efficacy of ILC using Weshahy cryoneedles in the treatment of small- and medium-sized BCC with >5-year follow-up.


METHODS
This pilot study included 43 patients with histopathologically proven BCCs of the nodular and superficial type. All BCCs were treated by Intralesional cryosurgery (Weshahy's technique) using specially designed angled or hook shaped needles.


RESULTS
The study included 22 men (51.2%) and 21 women (48.8%). Out of 46 lesions, 45 lesions (97.8%) showed a cure in one session, and only 1 nodular lesion showed a small recurrence in a marginal region of the site treated. In relation to the cosmetic outcome, 32 (69.6%) lesions showed a good to excellent outcome, 11 (23.9%) a moderate to good outcome and 3 (6.5%) a poor cosmetic outcome. The cosmetic outcome was better in females (p = 0.578), with small lesions (p = 0.048), and between 40 and 70 years old (p = 0.046).


CONCLUSIONS
Cryotherapy is an alternative treatment for a small- to medium-sized BCC in selected patients.
Dermatology Department, Faculty of Medicine , Cairo University, Cairo , Egypt and.
Ahmed H
AH
Weshahy
Rania M
RM
Abdel Hay
Dina
D
Metwally
Omar A
OA
Weshahy
Zeiad
Z
Gad
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003452:Cryosurgery / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Basal cell carcinoma; cryotherapy; intralesional cryosurgery