New intralesional therapy for basal cell carcinoma by 2% Zink sulphate solution

ABSTRACT

To assess the effectiveness of intralesional injections of 2% Zink sulphate in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma [BCC]. This is an open-label case interventional study conducted at the department of surgery at Al Rashid general hospital [Saudi Arabia] between January 2007 to January 2008. 11 patients were treated by intralesional injection of 2% zinc sulphate solution. 11 patients [10 males and one female] with BCC were included in this study, they had 25 lesions ranging from 1 to 3 lesions per patient. Their ages range from 46 to 70] while the duration of the disease was between 7 months and 36 years [11.35 +/- 8.46] [median 2]. A total of 25 lesions of BCC, 12 [48%] nodulr, 10 [40%] superficial pigmented, 2 [8%] nodulo-ulcerative, and one [4%] cystic. 10 lesions were injected with 2% zinc sulphate solution while 15 were infiltrated with 4% zinc sulphate solution and 2% xylocaine. 11[44%] was in the scalp, 9 [36%] in the face,4[16%]in the cheek and one [4%] in the chest. The number of injections for each lesion ranged from 1-4 injections. All lesions showed clinical cure 6 [24%] after first injection, 13 [52%] after second injections, 5 [20%] after third injections and one after fourth injection. This is a new effective, safe, non-costly local therapy of BCC. It is advised in all patients and in all types of BCC especially when the number of lesions is multiple, small and in elderly individuals