Topical cream for skin cancer may mean less scarring
By Graciela Gutierrez
Patients with certain types of skin cancer have the option of using a topical treatment that could leave the area with little or no scarring, said a dermatologist at Baylor College of Medicine.
"The topical cream, called Aldara™, only works for certain types of skin cancer," said Ida Orengo, M.D., professor of dermatology at BCM and director of the Mohs Surgery Center at the Baylor Clinic. "You simply rub it on the area, usually at night, and after about four to six weeks, the cancer is gone in about 80 percent of the cases."
A topical treatment for precancerous cells has been around for more than 30 years, but it has only been in the last five to 10 years that a topical cream was developed for cancerous lesions.
Immune booster
Aldara™ is FDA approved for superficial basal cell and actinic keratosis but has shown good results for squamous cell carcinoma in situ, she said.
"It works by turning on the body's immune system," said Orengo. "Your body starts to recognize those cancer cells are not normal and kills them off."
Skin cancer is typically removed by scraping and burning or cutting the area. This can leave a scar or even multiple scars since superficial basal cell carcinomas can appear in several spots close together, but not connected. Orengo said the cream allows for a larger area of coverage and usually heals without leaving behind scars.
Recommended for visible areas
"While the cream works, the area can look raw and begin to scab," she said. "But when treatment is over, it heals beautifully."
A small area of redness or discoloration can be left behind initially but that will eventually fade. Some side effects include a risk of bacterial infection. Orengo said daily cleansing is important to counter that risk. Since the cream affects the immune system, those who have autoimmune disorders might see those symptoms increase in severity and should probably not be used in these patients.
"This might not work for everyone," Orengo said. "But for those who have superficial basal cell carinoma on visible areas like the face or chest where you don't want scars, it is a good treatment option to talk to your doctor about."
