Clinical efficacy of Mohs surgery combined with topical photodynamic therapy for facial basal cell carcinoma

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical efficacy of Mohs surgery in combination with topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) for facial basal cell carcinoma. Patients and Methods: Eighty-six patients with facial basal cell carcinoma treated in our department from April 2011 to December 2013 were included. Mohs surgery was used to remove the lesions followed by direct suturing, skin flap grafting, or medium thickness free-skin grafting to repair the incisions. Topical PDT was performed three times, at an interval of 2 weeks, immediately after the sutures were removed. The patients were followed up for 2 years after the operation to evaluate tumor recurrence. Results: Recurrence was not observed within 1 year after Mohs surgery combining PDT; however, one case of recurrence was found at the 2-year follow-up. Conclusion: The efficacy of Mohs surgery combining topical PDT is a definite treatment for facial basal cell carcinomas, as it reduced the tumor recurrence rate and maintained the relative integrity of the local tissues and appearance. This method could be a new effective treatment method for the facial basal cell carcinoma.