title: Treatment of Basal Cell Carcinoma in the Elderly: What Nondermatologists Need to Know.
abstract: As the population ages and incidence of basal cell carcinoma continues to increase, we will be faced more frequently with difficult treatment decisions for basal cell carcinoma in the elderly. Different treatment options, including surgical excision, electrodessication and curettage, cryosurgery, imiquimod, photodynamic therapy, 5-fluorouracil, radiation therapy, vismodegib, combination therapy, and observation, may be considered on the basis of tumor characteristics. Given the wide range of therapeutic options, treatments can be tailored to achieve patients' goals of care within their anticipated life expectancy.
authors.affiliation: The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University School of Medicine. Electronic address: lauren.wiznia@nyumc.org.
authors.forename: Lauren E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Wiznia
authors.affiliation: Yale University School of Medicine, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven.
authors.forename: Daniel G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Federman
mesh_terms: D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000813:Anilides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003452:Cryosurgery; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D000077271:Imiquimod; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D011725:Pyridines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011878:Radiotherapy; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000634:Aminoquinolines; D000813:Anilides; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; C538724:HhAntag691; D011725:Pyridines; D000077271:Imiquimod; D005472:Fluorouracil
keywords: Basal cell carcinoma; Cryosurgery; Dermatologic surgery; Elderly; Electrodessication and curettage; Imiquimod; Life expectancy; Mohs surgery; Nonmelanoma skin cancer; Photodynamic therapy; Vismodegib