[Indications and results of cryotherapy of eyelid tumors]

Since 1980, 112 patients presenting with tumours of the eyelid were treated by cryotherapy at the First University Department of Ophthalmology in Vienna. In 103 cases, histological examination revealed basal cell epithelioma, in 7 cases spindle cell epithelioma and in 2 cases a naevus. There were 69 female and 43 male patients and the average age was 68 years. Tumour recurrence existed in 29 of these patients who had previously undergone surgical treatment or radiotherapy. The low temperatures required for cryotherapy are produced by the use of liquid nitrogen. Contact freezing was performed in cases of tumours of up to 8 mm diameter; larger tumours or those with an irregular surface were treated by spray freezing. Within a follow-up period of 5 years, 9% of the patients with basal cell epithelioma and spindle cell epithelioma experienced recidivation.