Videodermatoscopy of lentigo maligna treated with imiquimod.
Lentigo maligna (LM) is an in situ variant of cutaneous melanoma, which usually occurs in sun-damaged skin. Surgical treatment of LM is often difficult and not well accepted by patients, as lesions are usually quite large and located on the face. Imiquimod 5% cream is a local immune response modifier that has been used off-label to treat LM. The authors report of 2 female patients with LM on the nose (aged 39 and 48 years) treated with imiquimod 5% cream applied 5 times a week for a total duration of 4 months. Videodermatoscopy, a noninvasive diagnostic technique, was used to address the diagnosis and to monitor treatment response with imiquimod therapy and during follow-up. At the end of the treatment period, the lesions had cleared in both patients, with no evident remnants confirmed by videodermatoscopy. The patients refused to undergo a control biopsy, but complied for a 30-month followed-up period which revealed no evident changes. The authors' experience, in agreement with other clinical reports and open trials, suggests that topical imiquimod is a valuable treatment option capable of leading LM to clinical clearance.
Micali
Giuseppe
G
Dermatology Clinic, University of Catania, Italy. cldermct@nti.it
Lacarrubba
Francesco
F
Nardone
Beatrice
B
Nasca
Maria Rita
MR
D000328:Adult; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D046169:Dermoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018327:Hutchinson's Melanotic Freckle / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D000077271:Imiquimod; D008875:Middle Aged; D009666:Nose / Q000473:pathology; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*
D000634:Aminoquinolines; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077271:Imiquimod