TREATMENT OF BASAL CELL CARCINOMA BY CURETTAGE AND ELECTROSURGERY

One hundred and forty-eight basal cell carcinomas were treated by curettage and electrosurgery. Twenty-six recurrent carcinomas were treated and 24 did not recur during a minimum two-year follow-up. Seventy-two newly diagnosed carcinomas were treated by the same method, and a two-year recurrence-free rate of 97.4% was obtained. About 50 new and recurrent lesions were treated in three patients in whom extensive cutaneous changes from actinic atrophy and previous therapy made the distinction between new and recurrent lesions difficult or impossible. This technique has a particular place in the management of multiple lesions. Patient acceptance is good. Lesions at some sites, e.g. on the nose, where closure of a wound is difficult, are better managed by this method than by surgical excision. Secondary infection is rare and the cosmetic results are excellent.