Gaceta Médica Espirituana (May 2023)

HeberFERON in the treatment of patients with basal cell carcinoma of the ear

  • Vladimir Sánchez Linares,
  • Elizabeth Brito García,
  • Belkys Martínez Fando,
  • Yoelvis Álvarez Gómez,
  • Iraldo Bello Rivero

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 25, no. 2

Abstract

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Background: Basal cell carcinoma of the auricular region is one of the most aggressive cancers and with the worst prognosis, is usually destructive and mutilating, therefore conservative treatment, such as the use of interferons, is important in routine medical practice. Objective: To evaluate the results of HeberFERON application in a series of patients with basal cell carcinoma in the auricular region. Methodology: An observational, descriptive and longitudinal study was conducted on a series of cases with clinical, dermoscopic and histopathologic diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma of the ear treated with HeberFERON at the Center Polyclinic in Sancti Spíritus city, during the period from February 20, 2017 through December 20, 2022. A total of 29 patients were included in the study. An evaluation was conducted at the start of treatment, during treatment, and 16 weeks after treatment; the patients were treated with 10.5 IU of HeberFERON by perilesional and intradermal injections three times a week until completing nine doses. The variables were the response to the treatment and the presence or absence of any adverse events. Results: The male sex predominated, location in the ear turbinate, clinical subtype ulcerative nodule and solid histologic subtype, with a complete response in the majority of patients. The most common adverse events were injection site pain, fever, edema, and perilesional erythema. Conclusions: The response to treatment was favorable in most patients, and the adverse events observed were those described in the literature, with no change in pharmacologic attitude.

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