Clinics in dermatology
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Clinics in dermatology · Nov 2013
ReviewNon-melanoma skin cancers: photodynamic therapy, cryotherapy, 5-fluorouracil, imiquimod, diclofenac, or what? Facts and controversies.
Surgical modalities-excision, Mohs micrographic surgery, and electrodesiccation with curettage-are the preferred treatments for nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC). When used within guidelines, they have cure rates greater than 90%. Despite this, many other treatments have been studied and utilized for NMSC. ⋯ Topical 5-fluorouracil and imiquimod are efficacious and safe for the treatment of superficial basal cell carcinoma (BCC) but not other BCC subtypes or squamous cell carcinoma. They are self-administered twice daily for several weeks; therefore, patient and tumor selection are vital to ensuring adherence. There are currently insufficient data to support the use of topical diclofenac and ingenol mebutate for NMSC.