[Alternative to surgery in basal cell carcinoma in the elderly population: imiquimod 5% cream].
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common non-melanoma skin cancer. The incidence of this entity increases with age, peaking at the age of 70 years. This study included 97 patients aged more than 65 years old, with a diagnosis of BCC. These patients were treated with imiquimod applied three times weekly for 6 weeks. Clinical remission was 67% after 10 weeks and was 49.5% after 1 year. Imiquimod is a highly interesting therapeutic modality in the elderly, in whom surgery is often contraindicated. This regimen eradicates a high percentage of tumors and reduces local adverse effects, which are poorly tolerated by aged skin.
Arias Santiago
Salvador Antonio
SA
Servicio Dermatología Hospital Clínico San Cecilio de Granada, España. salvadorarias@hotmail.es
Ruiz Villaverde
Ricardo
R
Burkhardt Pérez
Pilar
P
Naranjo Sintes
Ramón
R
D000368:Aged; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D004304:Dosage Forms; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077271:Imiquimod; D008297:Male; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery
D000634:Aminoquinolines; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004304:Dosage Forms; D000077271:Imiquimod