Has imiquimod 5% cream a role in the management of recurrent basal cell carcinoma?

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a cutaneous malignancy with a tendency to spread locally and with several clinical and histological subsets. We studied 34 patients with a clinical diagnosis of recurrent BCC on different anatomical locations, to whom imiquimod 5% cream was administered on a low-frequency regime (3 times a week for 6 weeks), with a minimum of 3 years follow-up after completion of treatment. Clinical clearance rate at 1, 2 and 3 years were 94, 76 and 70%, respectively. We conclude that imiquimod seems to be an appropriate therapeutic alternative for the treatment of recurrent BCC in patients with associated co-morbidities.