Intralesional injection of bleomycin in the treatment of xanthelasma palpebrarum: A clinical study

BACKGROUND: Xanthelasma palpebrarum (XP) is the most common type of cutaneous xanthoma and has been treated with intralesional injection of pingyangmycin effectively. However, bleomycin, which has the same effect in antitumor activity as pingyangmycin, has not been applied in the treatment of XP. AIMS: To explore and assess the treatment of xanthelasma by intralesional injection of bleomycin, which has been widely used as an antitumor antibiotic, for the replacement of pingyangmycin. METHODS: Intralesional injection of different concentrations of bleomycin was administered to 44 xanthelasma lesions of 24 patients who have never been treated before, divided into two groups according to age. Photographs were taken and analyzed to assess the therapeutic efficiency. Patients were then followed up for 6-24 months. RESULTS: All the lesions resolved after 1 month of treatment with the intralesional injection of different concentrations of bleomycin. There was no significant difference observed between the two groups. No severe complications had occurred. CONCLUSION: The treatment of XP with intralesional injection of bleomycin is minimally invasive, safe, and effective. Consequently, it also has good cosmetic outcome with no adverse effects.