The treatment of basal cell carcinomas in a patient with xeroderma pigmentosum with a combination of imiquimod 5% cream and oral acitretin.

Abstract

Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a rare autosomal recessive photosensitive disorder, which results in multiple face, neck and head basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), squamous cell carcinomas and melanomas. A 15-year-old boy with XP presented with multiple facial BCCs previously treated by surgical excision. Standard BCC treatments such as surgery are not ideal for patients with several facial BCCs because of the risk of scarring, and the patient refused further surgery. As an alternative, three times weekly application of imiquimod 5% cream in combination with oral acitretin (20 mg daily) was prescribed for 4-6 weeks. No adverse events were reported during treatment and all tumours had resolved at the 6-month follow up visit, highlighting the therapeutic potential of imiquimod 5% cream.

• Authors: B Giannotti, L Vanzi, E M Difonzo, N Pimpinelli
• Journal: Clinical and experimental dermatology (Clin Exp Dermatol) Vol. 28 Suppl 1 Pg. 33-5 (Nov 2003) ISSN: 0307-6938 [Print] England
• PMID: 14616811 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Aminoquinolines
• Antineoplastic Agents
• Keratolytic Agents
• Acitretin
• Imiquimod

Topics

• Acitretin (administration & dosage)
• Administration, Oral
• Administration, Topical
• Adolescent
• Aminoquinolines (administration & dosage)
• Antineoplastic Agents (administration & dosage)
• Carcinoma, Basal Cell (complications, drug therapy)
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Facial Neoplasms (complications, drug therapy)
• Humans
• Imiquimod
• Keratolytic Agents (administration & dosage)
• Male
• Treatment Outcome
• Xeroderma Pigmentosum (complications)