New combination strategy of photodynamic therapy and surgery in treating recurrent basal cell carcinoma, a case report.

BACKGROUND: Surgery is considered the most effective treatment for basal cell carcinoma because it permits the analysis of surgical margins following excision. However, even Mohs surgery isn't desirable for predictable aggressive tumor. Treatment of recurrent basal cell carcinoma can be challenging.

METHODS: This case study is on a patient with a recurrent basal cell caricinoma on his zygomatic region. Since the tumor showed a suspected bone invasion, surgical excision of the tumor alone was problematic. Hence a one-time photodynamic therapy was performed in the basal segment of the defect.

RESULTS: No recurrence was detected at the patient's 1-year follow-up visit.

CONCLUSIONS: The tumor was successfully treated by combing surgery with photodynamic therapy. This treatment combination can be adopted as a new strategy in the study and treatment of recurrent basal cell carcinoma cases.