Alʹmanah Kliničeskoj Mediciny (Aug 2017)

Enhancement of interferon treatment for large basaliomas

  • A. V. Molochkov,
  • S. A. Rumyantsev,
  • A. N. Khlebnikova

DOI
https://doi.org/10.18786/2072-0505-2017-45-4-314-320
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 45, no. 4
pp. 314 – 320

Abstract

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Background: Treatment of large basaliomas may be problematic, because relapses after the use of various treatment modalities are frequent.Aim: To assess the efficacy of interferon therapy for primary solitary T2N0M0 basalioma.Materials and methods: We retrospectively analyzed the results of treatment of 72 patients with primary solitary basalioma T2N0M0. The patients from the main group (n = 35) were treated with injections of recombinant interferon alfa 2b into the lesion at a dose of 2 to 3 Mio IU (total dose for the treatment course from 18 to 27 Mio IU). The reference group included 37 patients treated by cryodestruction. The results were assessed at 8 weeks after the end of interferon therapy and at 3 months after cryotherapy. The cure was confirmed cytologically at 3 months after clinical reconvalescence (formation of the scarring atrophy area or re-epithelization).Results: The treatment was effective in 100% (35/35) of the patients from the main group. Twenty nine (82.9%) cases of basalioma required two courses of interferon therapy, 5 (14.3%) cases 3 courses, and one case (2.8%) 4 courses. In the reference group, 94.6% (35/37) of patients were cured. The difference between the proportions of the cured patients between the two groups was 5.4% (confidence interval (CI) -5.2–17.7%). Within the next 3 years of the follow-up there were no relapses in the main group, whereas the relapses were diagnosed in 9 (24.3%) of the patients from the reference group. The difference of the proportions between the two groups was 24.3% (CI 9.6–40%).Conclusion: Based on the short- and long-term results, the efficacy of intralesional interferon administration in basalioma T2N0M0 was 100%. For tumors of more than 2 cm², an increase of the single and the total cumulative dose of recombinant interferon alfa 2b is necessary, as well as several courses of interferon treatment. Interferon therapy is more effective than cryodestruction based on the 3-year relapse-free survival.

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