A case report of laser resurfacing as a skin cancer prophylaxis

BACKGROUND. Many patients suffer from multiple nonmelanoma skin cancers. We recently encountered two such patients who requested some form of prophyla xis against future skin cancers. OBJECTIVE. To highlight the potential utility of laser resurfacing as a ski n cancer prophylaxis. METHODS. Two patients with histories of multiple facial skin cancers were t reated with CO2 laser resurfacing for the purpose of skin cancer prophylaxi s. RESULTS. During a follow-up period of 33 and 52 months, both patients have remained free of skin cancers in the main treatment field while developing new tumors outside of this area. CONCLUSION. Laser resurfacing should be considered as a potential method of achieving skin cancer prophylaxis in selected patients.