Oscar Finskas, Oscar Zaar, Karin Svedberg
DOI: 10.2340/00015555-3691

Uncertainty exists regarding the results of treating basal cell carcinomas with a more aggressive growth pattern than nodular growth with cryosurgery. Over the years, some medium aggressive, well-defined basal cell carcinomas have been treated with cryosurgery at the combined ophthalmology-dermatology recipiency at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg in Sweden. The medical records of these patients were reviewed to analyse the results. A total of 53 cryosurgeries were performed in 52 patients during 2009 to 2016. None of these patients had a recurrence within the first 3 years. There were 2 recurrent tumours after 5 years and 1 after 9 years. It is concluded that cryosurgery is an effective treatment option for well-defined basal cell carcinomas with an intermediate growth pattern.

Basal cell carcinomas can be classified into 3 major types depending on aggressiveness: low, medium/mixed, and high. Cryotherapy is usually reserved for basal cell carcinomas with low aggressiveness. This study reviewed the outcome of 53 cryotherapies of medium aggressive basal cell carcinomas in the periocular region performed during the years 2009 to 2016. The results suggest that cryotherapy is an effective treatment option for well-defined medium aggressive periocular basal cell carcinomas.