Electrochemotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced or recurrent eyelid-periocular basal cell carcinomas

Abstract

There is increasing evidence about the effectiveness of electrochemotherapy (ECT) in the treatment of basal cell carcinomas in the head and neck region, although its role in the management of eyelid-periocular skin tumors has to be clarified. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the results of ECT in the treatment of locally advanced primary and recurrent eyelid-periocular skin basal cell carcinomas. Twelve patients with basal cell carcinoma involving the eyelid-periocular skin region were treated with ECT. Three patients had locally advanced primary tumors, while 9 patients had recurrent tumors. All treatments were performed according to the ESOPE guidelines, using Cliniporator TM device. All patients received bleomycin based ECT. The route of administration was intratumoral in 3 patients and intravenous in 9 patients. Tumor response was evaluated using the RECIST 1.1. criteria. ECT resulted in complete response of the periocular skin tumors in all patients. Lower eyelid ectropion was developed in 3 patients which had to be corrected surgically. ECT can be used effectively in the treatment of locally advanced or recurrent basal cell carcinomas in the eyelid-periocular skin region. Excellent tumor control can be achieved with good functional and cosmetic results without systemic adverse events with short interval follow-up.