Non‐surgical treatments to periocular basal cell carcinomas. Imiquimod versus photodynamic therapy

Abstract

Purpose To study the efficacy of non‐surgical treatment in patients with nodular basal cell carcinoma (BCC) placed around the eyes that have been treated with imiquimod 5% (IMQ) on the skin versus those that have received photodynamic therapy (PDT). To analyze clinical development, pathological remissions, aesthetic results and tolerance to the treatment . Methods Five patients with clinical and pathological diagnostic as nodular BCC were divided into two groups for therapeutic intervention: three of them received treatment with IMQ and the other two patients were treated with PTD after the application on the skin of metilaminolevulinate (MAL), a photosensitiser substance. Results The tolerance to the treatment was better in the group treated with PTD. Clinical and pathological remissions were obtained in treated patients. One of them, who received PTD, presented residual tumour at the end of the treatment, but the biopsy showed granuloma without histologically BCC component. Conclusion The effectiveness of BCC treated with IMQ 5% on the skin (five times a week for six weeks) is similar to the effectiveness of surgical treatment. Non‐ invasive treatment is better tolerated than surgical treatment in this kind of tumour. Moreover, the aesthetic and functional results are better than the surgical ones.