Ten years' experience of treating lentigo maligna with topical azelaic acid.
Topically applied azelaic acid led to complete clinical and histological resolution of lentigo maligna in more than 50 patients. The therapeutic results are highly durable, in fact 27 out of the 50 are still disease-free, 5-10 years after treatment. There was a recurrence in 11 cases, but all resolved on renewing treatment. The effect of azelaic acid is illustrated in a patient with lentigo maligna monitored clinically, histologically and ultrastructurally over the past 5 years.
Istituto Dermatologico San Gallicano, Rome, Italy.
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Nazzaro-Porro
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Passi
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Zina
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Breathnach
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000368:Aged; D003998:Dicarboxylic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007911:Lentigo / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D013997:Time Factors
D003998:Dicarboxylic Acids; C010038:azelaic acid