[The recurrence of facial basal cell carcinoma in patients treated at the Head and Neck Surgery Ward and Laryngological Oncology Clinic of the Greater Poland Cancer Centre in the years 2007-2010]

The use of lasers in the treatment of skin cancer: A review

BACKGROUND

In considering skin cancer, a number of factors-including effectiveness, simplicity of treatment, cost, and esthetic outcomes-are important to ensure patient's satisfaction. There are several existing interventions, such as electrodessication and curettage, excision, Mohs surgery, radiation therapy, cryotherapy, and topical/oral treatments. Laser therapy has emerged as a new promising alternative that should be explored.

OBJECTIVE

To review the literature on the dermatological use of laser therapy in the treatment of skin cancer.

RESULTS

A review of articles available on the MEDLINE and Web of Science databases until May 2017 yielded 24 and 6 studies, respectively, on laser therapy in the treatment of skin cancers, particularly melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. The four laser subtypes included solid-state, diode, dye, and gas lasers.

CONCLUSION

Review of the literature demonstrates the progress of dermatological understanding of the clinical implications of laser therapy in the treatment of premalignant and malignant neoplasms of the skin, and suggests that this treatment modality might be a viable option for some patients.

Analysis of selected recurrence risk factors after treatment of head and neck basal cell carcinoma

Introduction

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of non-melanoma malignant skin tumors. Eighty-five percent of all cases are located on the skin of the head and neck. The risk of recurrence after surgery is estimated at 5–15%.

Aim

To evaluate the selected risk factors for recurrence after surgical treatment of head and neck BCC at the Department of Head and Neck Surgery in the Greater Poland Cancer Centre of the Poznan University of Medical Sciences.

Material and methods

A retrospective analysis was made of patients treated at the Department of Head and Neck Surgery in the Greater Poland Cancer Centre of the Poznan University of Medical Sciences in 2007–2012 for BCC of the head and neck region. The study covered 312 patients: 198 males (63%) and 114 females (37%), aged 32–96 years.

Results

In the study group of 312 tumors, recurrence after initial treatment in this Centre was diagnosed in 18 patients (9%), whereas in patients who were previously operated elsewhere, recurrence was found in 22 cases (17%). The nodular type was the most common BCC type in the study group and concerned 175 patients (56%). The most numerous group (114; 37%) in this study group comprised patients with external nose and cheek tumors.

Conclusions

The importance of preoperative biopsy to assess the histological type as a routine treatment of patients with BCC is essential. Ultrasound evaluation to assess the exact size and depth of tumor invasion should also be implemented.