Elsevier

Clinics in Dermatology

Volume 23, Issue 6, Novemberā€“December 2005, Pages 581-586
Clinics in Dermatology

Actinic keratoses, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma: uncommon treatments

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clindermatol.2005.01.002Get rights and content

Abstract

This contribution will discuss the treatment of actinic keratoses, basal cell carcinomas, and squamous cell carcinoma using methods that are not routinely established but have been used for a long period. The purpose of this article is simply to expand the reader's knowledge of what has been or could be used to treat such lesions. This article should not be interpreted as advocating the use of the methods discussed because there are obviously efficient well-established treatments for these lesions.

Section snippets

Imiquimod

Imiquimod 5% cream is a topical immunodulating agent that stimulates the body's natural immune system by up-regulating the synthesis of various cytokines such as interferon alfa, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and interleukin (IL) 12. It has also been shown to indirectly stimulate production of interferon Ī³ and stimulates Langerhans cell migration to locally draining lymph nodes.1, 2, 3, 4 It has just recently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of actinic

Imiquimod

Imiquimod has been shown to be effective in the treatment of superficial and nodular basal cell carcinomas (BCCs). Bianchi et al treated 13 BCCs (9 superficial and 4 nodular) with daily applications of imiquimod for 10 to 18 weeks.34 Only 2 superficial BCCs failed to respond, whereas the other 11 BCCs all cleared with no recurrence up to 6 months after treatment. Erythema, erosion, ulceration, and vesicles occurred in all patients but was well tolerated.34

A study showed the imiquimod as therapy

Imiquimod

Kossard has recently reported the successful use of imiquimod for the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in situ (Bowen's disease) in a 75-year-old woman.52 The lesion in this patient was 6 Ɨ 5 cm in diameter on the preauricular area and cheek. Imiquimod was applied every other night for a total of 6 weeks. At 4 weeks, the area had enlarged with erosion and hemorrhage but showed no clinical evidence of Bowen's disease at the end of 6 weeks. Three weeks after the 6-week treatment period,

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