Recalcitrant Basal Cell Carcinoma after Grenz Ray Therapy: Introduction of High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound for...

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Oncology
• Medical Technology

Background:

• Grenz ray therapy, once common in dermatology, can lead to multiple, recalcitrant skin cancers years later.
• Surgical excision is the standard treatment but often results in disfiguring scars and local complications.
• Recurrent skin cancers after extensive surgery pose a significant clinical challenge.

Observation:

• A case study involved a patient with multiple basal cell carcinomas and precancerous lesions resulting from prior Grenz ray treatments.
• The patient had undergone over 30 excisional surgeries with complications and recurrences.
• High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) was applied to multiple lesions in the affected field.

Findings:

• HIFU treatment resulted in complete clearing of eight basal cell carcinomas and two precancerous lesions at 12-month follow-up.
• One recurrence was noted after 15 months, indicating the need for ongoing monitoring.
• The treatment demonstrated convenience and minimal complications.

Implications:

• HIFU presents a novel therapeutic option for field eradication of skin premalignancies and malignancies.
• This modality may address an unmet need for preventive and curative treatment in patients with a history of Grenz ray-induced skin cancers.
• HIFU combines curative treatment, field eradication, and prevention, offering a potentially important advancement in skin oncology.