title: Topical Imiquimod Treatment of Lentigo Maligna.
abstract: Lentigo maligna (LM) is the in situ phase of lentigo maligna melanoma, which may progress to invasive melanoma if left untreated. It mainly occurs on sun-exposed areas of elderly patients. The lesions can be large and conventional surgery can be difficult, particularly on the face. Recent reports indicate that topical imiquimod 5% cream is effective in the treatment of LM. It may be an alternative when surgery or other classical treatments are not possible in elderly patients. We describe an 80-year-old Caucasian woman with a 10-year history of a histologically verified extensive LM of the face. She was treated with imiquimod 5% cream once daily. After four months it showed complete clinical response. One year after the treatment the patient was still free from recurrence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Hospital de São Marcos, Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ventura
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rocha
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pardal
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brito