Successful treatment of multiple superficial basal cell carcinomas with topical imiquimod: Case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND. The use of imiquimod 5% cream for the treatment of superficial basal cell carcinoma (BCC) has been described. Its clinical efficacy was first shown in a study in patients with biopsy-proven superficial and nodular BCC. OBJECTIVE. To evaluate the efficacy of topical imiquimod in a patient with multiple superficial BCCs unresponsive to topical 5-fluorouracil and to review the literature on this treatment modality for BCCs. RESULTS. After 12 weeks of topical imiqmod, the patient's lesions had resolved. The patient was evaluated three months after discontinuation of treatment. There was no clinical evidence of any recurrent tumor. CONCLUSION. Imiquimod 5% cream appears to be effective for multiple, superficial BCCs unresponsive to other modalities.