Mitomycin C: An effective adjuvant in the management of ocular surface squamous neoplasia

Background: Ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) forms a spectrum of dysplasia from conjunctival-corneal intraepithelial neoplasia to an invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Management of OSSN is surgical excision; however, with a high reported recurrence rates (33 to 56%). Hence, Mitomycin C, a tumor-targeted deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis inhibitor is considered as an adjuvant following excision of primary OSSN. Aim: To report the cure and recurrence rate with excision of primary OSSN with Mitomycin C as an adjunctive ina single ocular center over 1 year period. Materials and Methods: Twelve eyes of 12 patients with histologically proven primary were included in the study between 1 ^st Jan 2009 and 31 ^st Dec. 2009. Protocol for the management comprised of surgical excision of the lesion with a 3 mm of healthy rim with cryotherapy followed by topical Mitomycin C 0.04% four times a day to all postoperative patients in 3-4 cycles of alternate on and off weekly courses. At each visit, looked for recurrence of tumor and corneal alterations like keratitis or erosions. Efficacy of Mitomycin C as an adjuvant therapy was measured in terms of clinical cure and recurrence of the tumor. Results: Average age 45.25 years with 42% below 40 years with 83% male preponderance. With a follow up period of 44.5 months, 91.7% success rate found despite late stage presentation in our study. Conclusion: Hence, we conclude that, Mitomycin C treatment following surgical excision decreases the recurrencerate of primary ocular surface neoplasia and should be considered as adjunctive therapy in primary treatment.