Scientific rationale: combining imiquimod and surgical treatments for basal cell carcinomas.

The number of basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) occurring in the US in 2007 has been conservatively estimated to be 1 million. Surgical extirpation alone is the standard for the treatment for BCCs, which results in scarring and is associated with recurrences. We review the rationale for combining surgical extirpation and immunotherapy with topically applied imiquimod 5% cream for the treatment of BCCs.