Circular Cryogenic Excision in Surgical Treatment of Skin Melanoma

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of circular cryo-excision in the surgical treatment of skin melanomas.

Materials and Methods. The study involved 126 patients with histologically verified malignant skin melanomas. The treatment efficacy was assessed by measuring the levels of antibodies to the CD3, CD16, CD4, and CD8 lymphocytes followed by calculating the CD4/CD8 ratio (immune regulation index, IRI) as an index of the immune health. For deep freezing of skin melanoma, a continuously cooled applicator with a ring-shaped tip attached to a vertical tube was used. Cryosurgical intervention — an excision of tumor tissues — was carried out in three stages.

Results. The CD4/CD8 ratio (IRI) before the cryosurgery was 0.6±0.1; after the treatment, the IRI increased 2-fold. In 6 months, the level of IRI reached 1.5±0.2. The 5-year survival rates after the circular cryo-excision were 80.0±8.9%, even for melanomas with the Clark index of IV–V.

Conclusion. Cryosurgical treatment of melanoma has a stimulating effect on the immune system and causes therapeutic consolidation that lasts for about 48 months, depending on the reactivity of the immune system. The results demonstrate the efficacy of this novel approach and rationalize its further use in oncosurgery.

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Kotova T.G., Kochenov V.I., Potemina T.E., Tsybusov S.N. Circular Cryogenic Excision in Surgical Treatment of Skin Melanoma. Sovremennye tehnologii v medicine 2018; 10(3): 52, https://doi.org/10.17691/stm2018.10.3.6