Electrocoagulation for skin cancer: an old oncologic tool revisited

Two-hundred-sixty-two squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas were treated by electrocoagulation over a six-year period. Eighty-four percent of these lesions were basal cell carcinomas. The overall recurrence rate was 3% in a personal 2--9-year follow-up. Those lesions measuring 2--5 cm had a 4% recurrence rate. All operations were done on an ambulatory basis. One-third of the patients were 70 years of age or older. This method has been found to be effective in the treatment of postradiation recurrences of skin cancer. Up to now such recurrences have defied attempts at cure. The technique is simple, safe, convenient, economical, and highly effective. It is believed that electrocoagulation and curettage should be considered the ideal therapy for those skin cancers in all locations in which surgical excision and primary closure cannot be done without plastic surgical intervention.