Skin Cancer Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Skin Cancer, including details on identification, causes, prevention, treatment.

Basal cell carcinoma: treatment with imiquimod.

Bukhardt Pérez MP, Ruiz-Villaverde R, Naranjo Díaz MJ, Blasco Melguizo J, Naranjo Sintes R

Dermatology Department, Hospital Clínico S. Cecilio, Granada, Spain.

BACKGROUND: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common cutaneous malignancy. There are various approaches to its treatment, but imiquimod, the immune response modifier, offers a topical, noninvasive, nonsurgical therapeutic option. METHODS: We present our experience of the treatment of 96 patients with BCCs during the period March 2002 to February 2004 at the Dermatology Department, Hospital Clínico S. Cecilio, Granada, Spain. One hundred and forty-one tumors (nodular, superficial, and pearly/ulcerated clinical types) were treated with imiquimod. RESULTS: The clinical cure rate at 12 months was 80-85%. CONCLUSION: Our experience indicates that imiquimod is a reasonable option for the treatment of BCC. It is low cost, can be delivered via ambulatory care, and has tolerable side-effects.

Published 2 May 2007 in Int J Dermatol, 46(5): 539-42.
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