Derm News: 2007.23(8)

Basal cell carcinoma: treatment with imiquimod

International Journal of Dermatology, 46(5):539-542
M. P. Bukhardt Pérez, Ricardo Ruiz-Villaverde, M. J. Naranjo Díaz, J. Blasco Melguizo, R. Naranjo Sintes
ABSTRACT

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%.

Conclusions

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.

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The Derm News service provided by the Editorial Consultants of Skin Therapy Letter^© and its founding editor Dr. Stuart Maddin.