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Cryosurgery of lentigo maligna
K Böhler-Sommeregger1, S Schuller-Petrovic, R Neumann
1Second Department of Dermatology, University of Vienna, Austria.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
|September 1, 1992
Summary
Cryosurgery offers an effective alternative for treating lentigo maligna, a precancerous skin lesion. This study found a low recurrence rate of 8.3% in patients treated with cryosurgery, suggesting its viability.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Oncology
Background:
- Lentigo maligna are flat, pigmented lesions common in sun-damaged skin, with potential to become malignant.
- Invasive lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM) can metastasize.
- Conventional surgery for lentigo maligna may cause significant scarring due to lesion size and location.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of cryosurgery as an alternative treatment for lentigo maligna.
- To assess the long-term recurrence rate of lentigo maligna treated with cryosurgery.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 12 patients with lentigo maligna treated with cryosurgery between 1984 and 1990.
- Average follow-up of 51.4 months.
- Retrospective immunohistochemical reassessment using S-100 protein to detect microinvasion.
Main Results:
- Successful treatment with cryosurgery in all 12 patients.
- An overall recurrence rate of 8.3% was observed.
- Intradermal microinvasion was confirmed in one patient, who showed no recurrence after 61 months.
Conclusions:
- Cryosurgery is an efficient alternative to conventional surgery for select lentigo maligna patients.
- Proper patient selection and monitoring of cryonecrosis are crucial for successful cryosurgery outcomes.
- Cryosurgery demonstrates a low recurrence rate for lentigo maligna, even in cases with microscopic invasion.