Nonablative Fractional Laser Treatment Is Associated With a Decreased Risk of Subsequent Facial Keratinocyte Carcinoma Development

Abstract

Background: Keratinocyte carcinoma (KC) is the most common type of nonmelanoma skin cancer. Currently, prophylactic treatment options are limited. Nonablative fractional lasers (NAFL) have received the Food and Drug Administration approval for the treatment of actinic damage; however, their role in KC prophylaxis is not known.

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine whether NAFL treatment is associated with a decrease in subsequent facial KC development.

Materials and methods: A retrospective cohort study of patients with a history of facial KC treated at the Massachusetts General Hospital Dermatology Laser and Cosmetic Center between 2005 and 2021 was conducted.

Results: Forty-three NAFL-treated patients with a history of facial KC and 52 matched control subjects were included in the study. The rate of subsequent facial KC development was 20.9% in NAFL-treated patients and 40.4% in control subjects (RR 0.52, p = .049). Control subjects developed new facial KC significantly sooner than NAFL-treated patients (p = .033). When controlling for age, gender, and skin type, control subjects were more likely to develop new facial KC than NAFL-treated patients (hazard ratio 2.65, p = .0169).

Conclusion: NAFL treatment was associated with a decreased risk of subsequent facial KC development and may have a benefit for KC prophylaxis.