Local immune modulator (imiquimod 5% cream) as adjuvant treatment after incomplete Mohs micrographic surgery for large, mixed type basal cell carcinoma: a report of 3 cases.
BACKGROUND
Surgical excision, including Mohs micrographic surgery, is the treatment of first choice for basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Occasionally, the Mohs procedure has to be ceased prematurely for unforeseen reasons.


OBJECTIVE
We sought for possibilities to adjuvantly treat patients in which superficial basal cell carcinoma remained after incomplete Mohs surgery.


METHODS
We report 3 cases of patients in which Mohs micrographic surgery for their large basal cell carcinomas was ceased for different unforeseen reasons, with remaining superficial fields of BCC after the aggressive and deeply localized part had been removed. Three weeks after closure of the defect, adjuvant therapy for the superficial remnants of the tumor with imiquimod 5% cream was given for 6 weeks, covering at least 1 centimeter around the surgically treated area.


RESULTS
The treatment was well accepted with no serious side effects and a good cosmetic result. No recurrences were seen after a follow-up period of 20 to 34 months.


CONCLUSIONS
A combination of surgical intervention for the central deeper part of the BCC and topical imiquimod 5% cream for the superficial part at the border might be a therapeutic option for those patients with multiple facial BCCs, severe sun damage, and extensive surgery in the past, in whom completion of the Mohs surgical procedure for the entire tumor is not possible for different reasons.
Thissen
M R T M
MR
Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Kuijpers
D I M
DI
Krekels
G A M
GA
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000368:Aged; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D004643:Emollients; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D000077271:Imiquimod; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015580:Mohs Surgery / Q000379:methods*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000634:Aminoquinolines; D004643:Emollients; D000077271:Imiquimod