Cryosurgical treatment of lentigo maligna

Abstract

Between the years 1973 and 1980, 20 patients with lentigo maligna were treated with cryosurgery. The tumors ranged in size from 1.0 to 7.0 cm (average size, 2.7 cm). The recurrence rate for all 20 patients was 10%. The mean average period for follow-up evaluation was 42.6 months. In selected cases (in particular, for patients of advanced age and with lesions of less than 4 cm), cryosurgery is of distinct value in the treatment of lentigo maligna. These tumors, small or large, warrant the use of temperature monitoring or the measurement of electrical current flow within the neoplasm during freezing. A longer follow-up period (for these patients and others) will determine the overall usefulness of cryosurgery in the treatment of lentigo maligna.

Melanoma In Situ Treated Successfully Using Imiquimod After Nonclearance with Surgery: Review of the Literature

“…Cryotherapy is associated with a recurrence rate of 0-40%. 12,[14][15][16][17][18][19][20] These treatments have been reviewed recently. 8,21,22 Imiquimod, a synthetic imidazoquinoline amine, has been used topically as an immune modulator.…”

Mohs' micrographic surgery using frozen sections alone may be unsuitable for detecting single atypical melanocytes at the margins of melanoma in situ

“…In contrast to routine surgical excision, destructive treatments do not allow submission of tissue for histological examination of excision margins and to exclude the presence of invasive melanoma. These include azelaic acid, 8 cryotherapy, 9–11 dermabrasion, 6 argon laser 12 and radiotherapy 13 . With the possible exception of cryotherapy in selected cases, 14 these treatments are seldom used in preference to surgical excision 15 …”

Cryotherapy for lentigo maligna — is clinical acumen combined with a single punch biopsy good enough for staging?

“…The cure rates after surgery are considered to be in the range of 90% [10,11]. similar to that described by Zacarian for cryotherapy [ 12]. Cryotherapy does have advantages over surgery: it is quicker and cosmetically more acceptable.…”