Treatment of basal cell carcinoma with surgical excision and perilesional interferon-α

Abstract

The classical treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is surgical removal. Recent scientific interest has shifted towards alternative, non-surgical interventions in order to decrease the morbidity associated with surgical excision.

Aim: This study aims to evaluate a novel approach that combines surgical excision with perilesional interferon injection in a pilot study.

Method: A total of 23 patients with facial nodular/solid BCC were enrolled and randomised to receive surgical removal with frozen-section control followed by a single perilesional infiltration of either interferon-α or Ringer's lactate. Patients were evaluated for signs of local complications and recurrence after a minimal follow-up of 1 year.

Results and conclusion: No major complications occurred after infiltration of interferon. One patient required oral antibiotics in the interferon group and two patients showed a small wound dehiscence. At the 1-year follow-up, one patient suffered from a recurrence in the control group. No recurrence was observed in the interferon group. A single perilesional infiltration of interferon-α was safe and did not increase the local complication rate. No recurrence was observed. A larger study is required to analyse the potential of this combination approach in order to minimise the safety margin and thereby decrease the morbidity associated with surgery while improving the cure rate.