[Cryosurgery of basal cell carcinoma: a study of 358 patients]

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.

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.

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.

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.