Comparison of imiquimod 5% cream versus radiotherapy as treatment for eyelid basal cell carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
To compare the efficacy, cosmesis and tolerance of two non-surgical treatments-imiquimod (IMQ) 5% cream and radiotherapy (RT)-to combat periocular nodular basal cell carcinoma (BCC).


METHODS
Twenty-seven patients with clinical and histopathological diagnosis of nodular BCC on the eyelid were included and randomly selected: 15 patients were treated with IMQ 5% cream once daily, 5 days/week for 6 weeks, and 12 patients were treated with RT.


RESULTS
All tumours showed histopathological remission within 3 months of the treatment, and sustained clinical remission was documented in each patient after 24 months' follow-up. Treatment tolerability was rated as moderate with IMQ and good with RT. Functional results were better in patients treated with IMQ. Loss of eyelashes was reported for most of the patients treated with RT.


CONCLUSIONS
IMQ and RT therapies are effective for treating eyelid nodular BCCs. Cosmesis and functional results were better with IMQ, while tolerability was higher with RT.
Ophthalmology Department, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain. egmvivax@yahoo.com
E
E
Garcia-Martin
L M
LM
Gil-Arribas
M
M
Idoipe
J
J
Alfaro
V
V
Pueyo
L E
LE
Pablo
F J
FJ
Fernandez
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005142:Eyelid Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D000077271:Imiquimod; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012074:Remission Induction; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000634:Aminoquinolines; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077271:Imiquimod