Microwave Therapy as a Novel, Safe, and Effective Treatment for Children and Adults with Molluscum Contagiosum

Introduction: Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is an easily transmitted poxvirus infection most commonly affecting children, where it normally causes multiple benign papules associated with itching, pain, and inflammation. Typical treatment guidance includes a watch and wait approach over 2 to 4 years with no current consensus on the best form of active therapy. This retrospective chart review aimed to determine whether microwave therapy could be a suitable and safe treatment modality for children and adults with MC. Methods: 35 patients were treated at a single podiatry clinic in Geelong, Australia, with microwave energy in up to 3 sessions, 4 weeks apart, being monitored for resolution and adverse events. Results: All patients’ lesions resolved after an average of 2.1 treatments. There was no difference in the number of treatments required for children versus adults to achieve complete resolution. Treatment-associated pain was transient, localized, and tolerable. No other adverse events were observed. Conclusion: These outcomes suggest that microwave therapy has the potential to be a new modality for the treatment of MC as it can be highly efficacious, safe, and equally applicable to children and adults.