Treatment of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Skin

Abstract

From 1964 to 1968, 417 squamous cell carcinomas of the skin and lower lip were treated, 347 have been followed up a minimum of four years. Two hundred eighty-one were treated by electrodesiccation and curettage (ED&C) with only three recurrences. Eighteen, treated with x-ray, yielded cures in all. Of 48 of the lower lip, 16 were treated by wedge resection, 29 by ED &C, and three by x-ray. Five recurred, two after wedge resection and three after ED&C giving an initial cure rate of 89.6%. Five recurrent lesions were retreated by the same or a different modality and all were cured for a final cure rate of 100%. Fiftytwo lesions of Bowen disease were treated by ED&C with only one recurrence. In selected squamous cell carcinomas of the skin the technique of biopsy, ED&C is excellent.