Cryotherapy in treatment of small basal cell carcinomas on face, head and neck

Aim of the current study is to determine correctly the outcome of cryotherapy treatment in patients of small primary superficial and nodular form of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) localized on face, head and neck. In 2020 a total 54 adults patients, 49-91 years of age, 34 female and 20 male who presented to the Clinical Centre of Skin and Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Riga 1st hospital with complaints about suspicious non-healing lesion on the face, head and neck. As a routine for the confirmed lesion of BCC applying method of dermoscopy with HEINE DELTA 20T dermatoscope, cryotherapy was made as method of treatment of BCC. No curettage was performed due to localization of BCC in anatomical areas with extensive blood supply that are cosmetically sensitive. Each patient was asked to attend clinic on monthly basis regularly in first 3 months after treatment , then each 3 months for duration of 1 year. In 5 cases of 54 treated patients a relapse was observed on clinical inspection and evaluation with dermatoscope. All 5 patients were referred from for further treatment from Clinical Centre of Skin and Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Riga 1st hospital to the oncologist, maxillofacial surgeon in Out-patients’ clinic, Centre of Oncology of Latvia, Riga East University hospital. Cryotherapy is effective and fast method of treatment of primary, superficial and nodular BCC. The regular monitoring of relapse of BCC is mandatory for 2 years after completion of treatment by dermatologist or oncologist.