as shown in the accompanying drawings for purposes of illustration , the present invention is concerned with a zinc chloride mixture used in treating skin diseases , unit dosed packaging 2 ( fig1 a ), 2 ′ ( fig1 b ), 2 ″ ( fig1 c ), 2 ′″ ( fig1 d ) and 2 ″″ ( fig2 a and 2 b ), for the zinc chloride mixture , an applicator for the zinc chloride mixture , a kit 4 containing all the necessary components 6 needed to facilitate the use of zinc chloride in fixed tissue surgery , and a method of using the zinc chloride mixture to treat melanoma , skin cancer and other skin diseases . the zinc chloride mixture of the present invention utilizing unit dosed packaging 2 - 2 ″″ is shown in fig1 - 4 . the use of a transdermal applicator containing the zinc chloride mixture is generally referred to in fig5 - 8 by the reference number 10 , in fig9 by the reference number 12 , in fig1 by the reference number 14 and in fig1 by the reference number 16 . for purposes of explanation , in each of the illustrated embodiments , functionally equivalent components will be given the same reference number . in order to better understand the invention , the following background is given . the paste formulation developed by dr . mohs ( 34 . 5 ml zinc chloride saturated solution , 40 grams stibnite [ 80 - mesh sieve ], and 10 grams sanguinaria canadensis ) has been the preferred form of fixative and has been used in humans since 1937 . in this formulation zinc chloride is present 45 % by weight , however , a wide range of concentrations may be acceptable from less than 0 . 1 % to 60 % or greater . sanguinaria is a chemically purified form of resin and plant alkaloids extracted from the rhizomes and roots of the sanguinaria canadensis plant ( bloodroot ). the alkaloidal herb sanguinaria has long been known as an escharotic agent and treatment for skin cancer ( merck index seventh edition , 1960 , p 918 ). it contains the plant alkaloids sanguinarine , chelerythrine , protopine and homochelidonine . the cytotoxic alkaloids sanguinarine and chelerythrine , have been shown to uncouple oxidative phosphorylation and inhibit reverse transcriptase enzyme and to have anti - cancer activity ( usher , g . a dictionary of plants used by man . hafner press , 1974 , p 219 ; yance , d r , herbal medicine . healing & amp ; cancer . keats ; 1999 , p 129 ). the sanguinaria also functions as a binder and thickening agent in the paste . stibnite is believed to act as a granular matrix . alternative paste formulas used in the treatment of human skin cancer have retained the zinc chloride and sanguinaria , but have substituted titanium dioxide , turmeric , and galangal for the inert stibnite . the possibility of enhancing the zinc chloride fixative paste developed by dr . mohs with pharmacologically active additives has been investigated as a part of this invention . the additives studied were taxol , podophyllum resin , fluorouracil and urea . in the taxol ( paclitaxel ) mixture , paclitaxel , an extremely expensive , potent , and highly active plant alkaloid ) is added at a 0 . 01 % concentration ( similar to other powerful dermatologic treatment preparations , e . g . retin a creams and gels and many topical corticosteroids ). however , a wide range of concentrations may be acceptable from 0 . 001 % to 90 % or greater , depending on the zinc chloride formulation employed . taxol ( paclitaxel ) is a natural plant alkaloid derived from the yew tree ( taxus brevifolia , taxus yannanensis ). it is a well known microtuble - stabilizing chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of many cancers , including melanoma ( mohith , r s , mackenzie , h . taxol and vinorelbine : a new active combination for disseminated malignant melanoma . anti - cancer drugs . 1996 , feb ; 7 ( 2 ): 161 - 5 ; photiou a , et al . in vitro synergy of paclitaxel ( taxol ) and vinorelbine ( navelbine ) against human melanoma cell lines . 11 : eur j cancer 1997 march ; 33 ( 3 ): 463 - 70 ; bedikian a y et al . p : phase ii trial of docetaxel in patients with advanced cutaneous malignant melanoma previously untreated with chemotherapy . j clin oncol december 1995 : 13 ( 12 ): 2895 - 9 ; proc . amer . assoc . cancer res . 40 , march , 1999 ] copyright 1999 by the american association for cancer research . # 3219 induction of apoptosis in human melanoma cell lines by taxol and il - 6 ;). a taxoid derivative of paclitaxel , docetaxel , has been reported to be effective as a first - line chemotherapy for human melanoma . ( verweij j et al . phase ii studies of docetaxel in the treatment of various solid tumors , eortc early clinical trials group and the eortc soft tissue and bone sarcoma group . eur j cancer 1995 ; 31a suppl 4 : s21 - 4 ). local skin reactions occurring inadvertently from extravasations of taxol ( paclitaxel ), in far greater concentration and dosage than recommended in the zinc chloride paste preparation , during intravenous injection for the treatment of ovarian , breast and other cancers , have been reported as mild . these reactions have consisted of tenderness , erythema and skin discoloration , and swelling . ( physician &# 39 ; s desk reference . medical economics co . 2000 ; p . 886 ). in low concentration , the plant alkaloid paclitaxel mixes completely and fully with the resin and plant alkaloids of the sanguinaria component of the fixative paste . the paste consistency and viscosity remains unchanged . the depth of penetration of zinc chloride into the skin from the paste can be precisely controlled depending primarily on the thickness and area over which the fixative is applied . for example , a 1 . 5 mm thick application over a 2 . 0 cm diameter area of skin results in a 6 . 4 mm deep penetration , augmented centrally . ( mohs f e , mohs chemosurgery microscopically controlled surgery for skin cancer . charles c . thomas 1978 ; p 12 .). paclitaxel zinc chloride paste concentrations of 0 . 01 %, 0 . 1 %, 1 %, and 10 % have been experimentally applied to pig skin in varying thicknesses from paper thin to 1 mm thick over surface areas varying from 4 mm to 1 . 5 cm in diameter to determine whether the addition of the paclitaxel affects the zinc chloride penetration . no difference in depth of penetration was observed for any of the concentrations , different surface areas , or thicknesses when compared to zinc chloride fixative paste without paclitaxel . the preservative property of zinc chloride is believed to maintain the activity of the plant alkaloids indefinitely . as the plant alkaloids are nitrogenous organic compounds , three widely used pharmacologically active nitrogenous organic dermatologic compounds , podophyllin resin , fluorouracil , and urea were tested in a similar fashion to paclitaxel and found to be completely compatible and mix fully with the zinc chloride fixative paste . podophyllin is a natural plant extract from the dried roots of either podophyllum peltatum or p . emodi . it is an antimitotic agent used for many years in the treatment of human warts . ( fitzpatrick t b , et al . dermatology in general medicine , mcgraw - hill 1999 , p . 2724 .) podophyllin is added at a 0 . 01 % concentration , although a wide range of concentrations may be acceptable from 0 . 001 % to 90 % or greater , depending on the zinc chloride formulation employed . flurouracil is used in the topical treatment of actinic keratoses , squamous cell carcinoma in situ ( bowen &# 39 ; s disease ) and basal cell carcinoma . ( fitzpatrick t b , et al . dermatology in general medicine , mcgraw - hill 1999 p . 2768 - 2769 .) in the fluorouracil mixture the fluorouracil is added at a 0 . 1 % concentration . however , depending on the zinc chloride concentration in the mixture , the concentration of fluorouracil may vary from less than 0 . 01 % to greater than 20 %. urea is a widely used dermatologic keratolytic agent that dissolves the intercellular matrix thereby enhancing the absorption of the zinc chloride mixture into the skin through the dead keratin layer . ( fitzpatrick t b , et al . dermatology in general medicine , mcgraw - hill 1999 , p . 2723 .) urea is added at a 0 . 01 % concentration , but may vary from less than 0 . 01 % to greater than 40 %. the zinc chloride mixture of the present invention may include immunological adjuvants and / or chemotherapeutic agents such as 5 - fluorouracil , imiquimod , podophyllum , paclitaxel , bcnu , dtic , cisplatinum , tamoxifen , vinblastine , bleomycin , interferon , interleukin 2 , or melanoma vaccine . alternative paste formulations may be employed utilizing xanthan gum , ethoxylated lanolin , or stearic acid , alkyl polyglycosides , turmeric , titanium dioxide , galangal , or equivalent substitutes . the zinc chloride medication mixture may be in a form other than paste including injectable solution , and administered as a single dose injection . although several different formulations have been described , the essence of the invention regarding any biologically active external zinc chloride medication mixture , whether in paste , liquid , injectable solution , matrix , or other form , in a single use , dose specific applicator ( described below ) and / or other facilitated topical administration system is equivalent . the inventor has developed a simplified dressing for holding zinc chloride paste in place on the skin . it consists of a thin , dry layer of cotton , applied over the zinc chloride paste and then fastened securely with an occlusive dressing tape . in accordance with the invention , a transdermal applicator may be substituted to secure the zinc chloride paste in place or alternately the dressing tape and the single use specific dosed package of zinc chloride paste may be combined into a single humectantly sealed transdermal applicator 10 - 16 . the single use applicators 10 - 16 of zinc chloride mixture can be sized to provide the precise dosage necessary . they also facilitate the use of the zinc chloride treatment method and allow the treating physician to easily control the dosage of zinc chloride administered while maintaining the zinc chloride in an environmentally controlled atmosphere . referring to fig1 a - 1d , there are shown four zinc chloride unit dosed packages . fig1 a illustrates a blister pack 2 containing a specific dose of zinc chloride paste which is designated on the surface of the pack . fig1 b and 1c show different single - use dose specific , humectantly sealed container configurations 2 ′ and 2 ”. fig1 d shows a humectantly sealed unit dose package 2 ′″ containing a pad or matrix aid impregnated or embedded with zinc chloride mixture for direct application to the skin . the pad or matrix 8 may be removed from the surrounding container and applied directly to the skin . fig2 a and 2b illustrate a unit dose package 2 ″″ consisting of a foil or equivalent plastic material containing a matrix or pad 8 impregnated ( embedded ) with a dose specific quantity of zinc chloride mixture 22 . the package is cut open with a pair of scissors . the pre - measured concentric rings serve as a cutting guide to facilitate precise surface area application . the matrix helps to secure the zinc chloride mixture into the treatment site . after the package has been cut to an appropriate size ( as indicated by a selected concentric ring ) the matrix or pad 8 is removed from the package for application onto the treatment site . fig3 illustrates the components 6 of a zinc chloride chemosurgery treatment kit 4 ( shown in fig4 ). the components 6 include individually package dose specific zinc chloride paste blister pack containers 2 , saturated solution trichloracetic acid solution used to dissolve dead keratin and help absorption of the zinc chloride , applicators , dry cotton balls used to hold the zinc chloride in place on the skin , occlusive dressing which is fastened over the cotton ball and provide an occlusive closure , and different colored dyes which may be used for color coating the edges of excised tissue specimens . such components 6 may be easily packaged into the packaging 4 shown in fig4 . additionally , the treatment kit may include items not illustrated : 1 ) surgical biopsy and excisional instruments ; 2 ) hemostatic agents such as , e . g ., zinc chloride , gelfoam ®, 30 % aluminum chloride solution , absorbable suture ; 3 ) postoperative dressings , telfa pads , bandages , cleansing pads , mild keratolytic agents , and other items that facilitate chemosurgery . the transdermal applicator 10 shown in fig5 - 8 comprises a reservoir system having a fluid impermeable backing 18 , a secondary backing substrate 20 which is flexibly attached to the backing 18 to form a reservoir for the zinc chloride mixture 22 , and an adhesive substrate 24 attached to the periphery of the backing 18 . a fluid impermeable peel away strip 26 is attached to the adhesive substrate 24 to encapsulate the zinc chloride mixture 22 between the peel away strip 26 and the secondary backing 20 prior to use . the secondary backing substrate 20 forms a flange 30 which surrounds the periphery of the reservoir of zinc chloride 22 and is intended to hold the zinc chloride mixture 22 in place after application to the skin . the applicator 10 is administered by removing the peel away strip 26 , as shown in fig7 and applying the applicator 10 to the affected skin site 30 , as shown in fig8 . the applicator 10 remains in place as the adhesive substrate layer 24 binds the applicator 10 to the skin . referring to fig9 a second transdermal applicator 12 also includes the backing 18 , the secondary backing substrate 20 flexibly attached to the backing 18 , an adhesive substrate 24 attached to the periphery of the backing 18 , and a peel away strip 26 attached to the adhesive substrate 24 . in addition , the transdermal applicator 12 includes a drug rate controlling membrane 32 which acts to control the rate of absorption of the zinc chloride mixture 22 into the skin . referring to fig1 , a third transdermal applicator 14 includes the backing 18 , the secondary backing substrate 20 flexibly attached to the backing 18 , an adhesive substrate 24 attached to the periphery of the backing 18 , and a peel away strip 26 attached to the adhesive substrate 24 . the transdermal applicator 14 also includes a polymer drug matrix 34 or equivalent matrix aid disposed between the backing 18 and the peel away strip 26 . the matrix 34 stabilizes the paste zinc chloride mixture 22 . fig1 illustrates the most simple form of the transdermal applicator 16 , wherein the applicator 16 has an adhesive substrate 24 impregnated with the zinc chloride mixture 22 and disposed between the impermeable backing 18 and the peel away strip 26 . the unit dose packages of zinc chloride paste shown in fig1 a - 1d and fig2 a - 2 b , the complete zinc chloride treatment kit fig3 and 4 , and / or the transdermal applicators 10 - 16 are beneficially used in treating melanoma , skin cancer and other skin diseases . after visually examining the affected site , and conducting a biopsy to confirm suspicion of cancer , the skin is typically treated before applying the zinc chloride mixture 22 with a keratolytic acid , preferably a saturated solution of trichloracetic acid . the keratolytic acid serves to dissolve the impermeable outer dead keratin layer of the skin allowing the zinc chloride mixture 22 to penetrate into the affected tissue . the zinc chloride mixture 22 and / or the transdermal applicators 10 - 16 may include skin penetration chemical enhancers ( e . g . azelaic acids , nordihydroguauretic acid or other equivalent phenolic , carboxylic , organic , or plant derived acids , urea , sulphoxides , dimethyl sulfoxide , methyl sulfonylmethane , alcohols , polyols , alkanes , keratolytic acids , fatty acids , esters , amines , amides , terpenes , surfactants , cyclodextrins , and / or other solvents or keratolytic agents ). the zinc chloride mixture 22 passes through the skin and into the abnormal growth area . the zinc chloride mixture 22 acts as a fixative by killing and histologically preserving the cells and tissue it comes into contact with . the depth and area of tissue which is fixed can be precisely controlled by the surface area to be treated and the total quantity of zinc chloride mixture 22 applied . the depth of penetration of zinc chloride into the skin can vary from a fraction of a millimeter to more than a centimeter depending on both the thickness and diameter of the application ( mohs f e , mohs chemosurery microscopically controlled surgery for skin cancer . charles c . thomas 1978 ; p . 12 ). therefore , unit dose packages and applicators 10 - 16 can be manufactured which are of varying size and contain varying quantities of zinc chloride 22 so as to be dose specific . other advantages of utilizing unit dose packaging and / or transdermal applicators 10 - 16 include the relative simple and inexpensive manufacturing process . additionally unit dose packaging and the treatment kit illustrated in fig1 - 4 as well as the applicators 10 - 16 facilitate use by both the physician and the patient . furthermore , the zinc chloride mixture 22 is humectantly sealed from the environment , preventing the paste form of the mixture 22 from undesirably hardening or liquefying . as illustrated in the flow chart of fig1 , plantar warts can be treated with the zinc chloride paste , utilizing unit dose packaging and treatment kit or a dose specific transdermal applicator 10 - 16 . the patient &# 39 ; s history is taken and a clinical diagnosis and visual observation of the wart is conducted ( 100 ). the outer dead keratin layer of the wart is then pared with preferably a 15 surgical blade to remove the outer dead keratin layer ( 102 ). a saturated solution of trichloracetic acid or equivalent keratolytic acid followed by application of zinc chloride paste is applied to the affected site ( 104 ). the site is later observed for healing ( 106 ) and the treatment is repeated in three weeks if wart persistence occurs ( 108 ). once the lesion is cured , no further treatment is necessary ( 110 ). basal and squamous cell skin cancer is the most common of all human cancers and is increasing epidemically worldwide . many of these skin cancers are best treated by sophisticated surgical techniques . however , there are many areas of the world , clinics and facilities , where such surgical treatment is too sophisticated and technically impossible to achieve . a simplified technique for the treatment of these malignant skin tumors utilizing the zinc chloride mixture and applicators is illustrated in the flow chart of fig1 . prior to treatment , a history is taken and photographs may be obtained ( 200 ). if cancer is suspected , tumors are preferably biopsied before treatment ( 202 ) and if the lesion is found to be benign , there is no further treatment ( 204 ). if the biopsy concludes cancerous tissue , a keratolytic acid , such as trichloracetic acid , is placed on the clinically judged site of malignant involvement and a one to four millimeter margin of normal skin , followed by an application of the zinc chloride mixture ( 206 ). dead keratin may be pared from the surface of a heavily crusted tumor using a surgical blade prior to the application of the keratolytic acid . the paste is permitted to act for 18 to 24 hours at which time maximum penetration occurs . since zinc chloride paste preserves histology , the tumor fragment required for histologic examination can be removed with a scalpel or punch biopsy instrument the day after the application of the paste ( 208 ). the biopsy taken in the previously killed tissue can be performed without pain or hemorrhage . local anesthesia and hemostasis are therefore , avoided . the area of the lesion becomes gray and necrotic with surrounding inflammation and at one to two weeks the tumor sloughs off spontaneously or is easily removed with a forceps . a clean base of granulation tissue is achieved , which heals spontaneously by second intention with good or acceptable cosmetic results ( 210 ). if persistence occurs a second or third ( rarely more ) application of the zinc chloride mixture is made ( 212 ). the skin cancer site is observed intermittently over a five year period for any evidence of local recurrence ( 214 ). treatment of cutaneous melanoma , the most serious and potentially fatal form of skin cancer , is illustrated in the flow chart of fig1 . the site is diagnosed by visual inspection and photographs may be taken ( 300 ), followed by a fresh tissue ( i . e . tissue not previously treated with zinc chloride fixative paste ) incisional biopsy from the thickest part of the tumor utilizing a scalpel or 3 - 4 mm punch biopsy instrument ( 302 ). the biopsy is performed gently and the tissues are allowed to bleed outward . hemostasis may be obtained by the application of 30 % aluminum chloride or saturated solution of trichloracetic acid . if the lesion is found to be benign , no further treatment is taken ( 304 ). however , if the diagnosis of melanoma has been confirmed , keratolytic acid ( saturated solution trichloracetic acid ) and zinc chloride paste mixture utilizing a dose specific container or applicator 10 - 16 are applied to the remaining tumor and a margin of surrounding normal appearing skin the day prior to surgery . the treated margin of normal appearing skin surrounding the visible melanoma can vary from 6 mm to 1 . 5 cm depending on the size and thickness of the tumor being treated ( 306 ). surgery is performed 18 to 24 hours later in a conventional manner , removing a margin of tissue below and around the melanomatous tumor , with all incisions made through the previously killed tissue . the excision is performed within 1 - 2 mm of the outer edge of the fixation . a thin layer of zinc chloride paste mixture is applied to the excisional surface immediately following surgery . a thin wall of necrotic zinc chloride treated tissue is allowed to remain in place which provokes a strong inflammatory immune response enhancing host resistance against further or distant spread of the melanoma . after one to two weeks , the necrotic tissue sloughs off or is easily removed with a forceps . the wound heals spontaneously by second intention ( 308 ). the excised specimen is examined microscopically in a conventional manner ( traditional permanent histologic section cut vertically perpendicular to the skin ) to determine clearance of the tumor to the deep and side margins . the edges of the excised specimen may be color coded by the application of dyes for precise orientation ( 310 ). unlike mohs fixed tissue technique , which requires repetitive surgeries for treating a melanoma , the vast majority of melanomas can be successfully treated in a single session using this simplified method . however , on rare occasion microscopic examination may indicate the need for a deeper and / or wider surgery until adequate margins are achieved ( 312 ). since all incisions are made through the tissue previously killed by zinc chloride a narrower margin of surrounding normal appearing skin than in conventional fresh tissue surgery can be safely removed without the risk of disrupting invisible satellite lesions . in a study of 200 melanoma patients subclinical microscopic extensions beyond the visible tumor were found to be 6 mm or less in 80 % of the cases irregardless of the size or depth of invasion of the melanoma . the greatest extension was 1 . 5 cm from the visible margin . ( mikhail , g r , mohs micrographic surgery . w . b . saunders 1991 ; pp . 282 - 283 ). bleeding may occur from larger arterioles feeding the affected site . hemostasis may be secured by the application of 30 % aluminum chloride , saturated solution trichloracetic acid , or gelfoam . absorbable suture ligatures may be necessary for larger vessels . electrocoagulation is avoided . although fixed tissue zinc chloride treatment has been described somewhat in detail with respect to plantar wart , basal and squamous cell carcinomas and melanomas , “ chemosurgery ” has also been reported to be effective in the treatment of the following tumors : neoplasms and carcinomas of the parotid gland , bone , larynx , mouth , accessory nasal sinuses , lips , breast and anal region , sarcomas , actnic and seborrheic keratoses , keratoacanthoma , hemangiomas , lymphangiomas , nevi , warts and other miscellaneous epithelial growths ( mohs f e . chemosurgery microscopically controlled surgery for skin cancer . charles c . thomas , 1978 ). an advantage of using the zinc chloride treatment is that skin cancer patients who are infected with the aids virus can be safely treated using zinc chloride paste . hiv is inactivated by zinc chloride , thus minimizing the danger of infection to surgical or laboratory personnel . zinc chloride paste has beneficial effects in a variety of other skin diseases because it has a bactericidal effect on infected tissues and also stimulates the angiogenesis of granulation tissue which results in rapid spontaneous wound healing . for example , zinc chloride paste is beneficial in the healing of the infected , necrotic tissue of diabetic gangrene . following superficial wound debridement a small dose of paste is applied to the affected site from a dose specific container . the treatment may be repeated in two to three weeks . the wound is sterilized and granulation tissue is stimulated by the zinc chloride paste . it has been reported among diabetics that 75 % of appendages are saved through treatment with zinc chloride paste rather than with limb amputation . ( mikhail g r . mohs micrographic surgery . w . b . saunders , 1991 ; p 47 ). due to the potential for severe complications in diabetic gangrene , a multidisciplinary medical and vascular surgical approach is recommended . tetanus , chronic osteomyelitis , tuberculous ulcers and other chronic skin infections , arteriosclerotic gangrene , and frostbite and thermal gangrene have also been benefited with the application of zinc chloride paste . although several embodiments have been described in detail for purposes of illustration , various modifications may be made to each without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention . accordingly , the invention is not to be limited , except as by the appended claims .
an improved method for the treatment of melanoma and skin diseases which utilizes a zinc chloride fixative mixture is provided . the active ingredients of the fixative mixture include zinc chloride , and the anti - cancer plant alkaloids sanguinarine and chelerythrine . zinc chloride allows the surgeon to perform a complete conventional surgical excision around and below a melanomatous tumor through painless , bloodless dead tissue , and because the microscopic structures are fixed in place by the zinc chloride , the excised tissue can be examined by a pathologist to confirm complete excision and clearance of the melanoma . although zinc chloride fixative paste has been shown to be an effective treatment for human skin cancer and melanoma , this treatment has been overlooked by the medical community . the paste is difficult to maintain and complicated to apply to the affected skin . this invention allows the active ingredients of zinc chloride fixative paste to be effectively administered to the skin by providing single - use dose specific storage , application , dressing , and administration systems needed to facilitate the use of topical zinc chloride mixtures and / or zinc chloride pastes in the treatment of melanoma and other skin diseases . enhanced zinc chloride mixture formulations are described .