Surgical therapy for basal cell epitheliomas by curettage only

Abstract

Thorough curettage alone was used to treat 214 basal cell epitheliomas (BCEs) of 152 patients who were followed up from six months to 13 years (the initial three were treated 19 years ago). One hundred sixty-four treated sites have been followed for at least two years, 132 for at least four years, and 121 for five years or longer. There were six treatment failures in the 214 lesions followed to date. Two recurred at ten months, one at 12 months, two at 20 months, and one at 25 months after treatment. If it is carefully done, the curettage alone cure rate compares favorably with other forms of treatment. Curettage is simple, effective, and inexpensive treatment of BCEs.

Curettage, electrosurgery and skin cancer

“…Although usually reserved for benign lesions, curettage‐only treatment for BCC has its advocates, improved cosmesis being the main stated advantage. 31,56,57,60,61 Reymann 31 treated 155 patients (310 BCC) with curettage‐only for a 4.5 year cure rate of 91.6%. Cosmesis following curettage‐only was reported as superior to that following any other method, including C & ED, although no objective measurements were made.…”

“…Additionally, tumours chosen for curettage‐only were smaller and more superficial than those treated with C & ED, resulting in less scarring, presumably due to the decreased treatment area. 56 …”

“… 29 Another series reported similar experience: 2 of 5 Bowenoid lesions recurred following curettage only. 56 In a series of 345 cases of BD treated with curettage only, an 81.16% success rate was reported (follow‐up duration not stated). 63 Cauterization alone was used to treat 16 patients for a 93.75% success rate.…”

“…Curettage‐only is thought to be ineffective in BD because of the extension of cells down hair follicles and eccrine structures; 2,29,56 this technique may fail to achieve adequate depth of destruction.…”

Prospective trial of curettage and cryosurgery in the management of non‐facial, superficial, and minimally invasive basal and squamous cell carcinoma

“…There are retrospective studies of curettage alone, however. One study in 1978 reported 214 basal cell carcinomas treated with this method, with six recurrences from 10 to 25 months from 121 treatment sites, which were followed for five years 6 . Additional cases were added in the follow‐up study in 1983, giving a 91.5% 5‐year cure rate 7 .…”