Efficacy and tolerability of imiquimod 5% cream to treat periocular basal cell carcinomas.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy and safety of nonsurgical treatment with imiquimod (IMQ) 5% cream in patients with periocular nodular basal cell carcinoma (BCC).


METHODS
Fifteen patients with clinical and histopathological diagnosis of nodular BCC on the eyelid were treated with IMQ 5% cream once daily, 5 days/week for 6 weeks. Three patients had tumor persistence after photodynamic therapy and 1 patient had failed cryotherapy.


RESULTS
All tumors showed histopathological remission within 3 months of starting IMQ, and sustained clinical remission was documented in each patient after 24-28 months' follow-up. Treatment tolerability was bad in 7 patients with local effects being most problematic, but all symptoms disappeared when treatment ended.


CONCLUSIONS
IMQ therapy is effective for treating periocular BCCs with a cure rate similar to that of surgery. Aesthetic results were rated as excellent. IMQ is a useful alternative to surgery in patients with periocular BCCs when other therapies have failed or are not possible.
Garcia-Martin
Elena
E
Ophthalmology Department, Miguel Servet Universitary Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain. egmvivax@yahoo.com
Idoipe
Miriam
M
Gil
Laura Maria
LM
Pueyo
Victoria
V
Alfaro
Jorge
J
Pablo
Luis E
LE
Zubiri
Maria Luisa
ML
Fernandez
Javier
J
D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D017679:Cryotherapy; D005142:Eyelid Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D005143:Eyelids / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077271:Imiquimod; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000180:Acrylic Resins; D000634:Aminoquinolines; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; C479038:carbomer; D000077271:Imiquimod