Intralesional interferon alfa-2b treatment of keratoacanthomas.

Background: Complete excision is not always easy when a keratoacanthoma is large or located in certain anatomic areas. An effective nonsurgical treatment would be desirable in such cases.

Objective: This was a pilot study of the effects of intralesional interferon alfa-2b in the treatment of rapidly growing keratoacanthomas.

Methods: A total of 4 large, rapidly growing keratoacanthomas, which were located on the lower lip, neck, and cheeks of the 4 different patients, were treated with intralesional interferon alfa-2b injection weekly. Serial photographs were taken to observe the course of responses.

Results: All lesions resolved completely in 5 to 7 weeks with acceptable cosmetic results.

Conclusion: Intralesional interferon alfa-2b can be a treatment modality of these difficult lesions.