Oral cimetidine (Tagamet) for recalcitrant, diffuse conjunctival papillomatosis.
OBJECTIVE
To report the efficacy of cimetidine for treatment of conjunctival papillomatosis.


METHODS
An 11-year-old boy had an 8-year history of diffuse conjunctival papillomas, treated previously with standard measures of excisional biopsy and cryotherapy. He developed spontaneous conjunctival bleeding and diffuse tumor recurrence over the entire conjunctival surface. Oral cimetidine liquid (30 mg/kg/day) was prescribed.


RESULTS
Within 2 months, dramatic tumor regression was noted, with nearly complete resolution by 4 months. The patient had no local or systemic side effects from the medication.


CONCLUSIONS
Oral cimetidine possesses immune modulation properties and may be useful in some cases of virus-induced conjunctival papillomatosis.
Shields
C L
CL
Ocular Oncology Service, Wills Eye Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA.
Lally
M R
MR
Singh
A D
AD
Shields
J A
JA
Nowinski
T
T
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D002648:Child; D002927:Cimetidine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003230:Conjunctival Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D010212:Papilloma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D002927:Cimetidine