Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of topical mitomycin-C (MMC) for treatment of postoperative residual conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
Design: Retrospective noncomparative case series.
Participants: Five patients, two males and three females, with conjunctival and histologically proven incompletely excised conjunctival SCC.
Methods: Patients were treated with topical MMC. Two to three courses of topical MMC, 0.02% or 0.04%, were applied four times daily for 14 days per course. One month after the final treatment, the scar area with surrounding normal conjunctiva was excised, and histologic evaluation was done.
Main outcome measures: No evidence of malignant cells in excised tissues.
Results: Histologic evaluation of the five specimens showed no malignant cells. Conjunctival scarring with inflammatory response was observed. No regrowth was reported during the follow-up period of 18 to 37 months. The complications of MMC use included mild to moderate conjunctival hyperemia in three patients. All signs and symptoms were resolved after discontinuation of the treatment.
Conclusions: Application of topical MMC is an efficient treatment for residual conjunctival SCC. Longer follow-up is required to confirm these findings.