Imiquimod to Treat Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Carcinomas

CURTIS D. KELLER

CURTIS D. KELLER, M.D., 3M Pharmaceuticals, St. Paul, MN 55144

Am Fam Physician. 2005;72(01):41

to the editor: It was good to see the review article¹ of basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. Please note that, since this article was written, imiquimod 5% cream (Aldara) has received approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of some types of actinic keratoses and basal cell cancers. It is specifically indicated for the treatment of biopsy-confirmed, primary superficial basal cell carcinoma in immunocompetent adults, with a maximum tumor diameter of 2 cm.²

Stulberg DL, Crandell B, Fawcett RS. Diagnosis and treatment of basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas.. Am Fam Physician. 2004;70:1481-8.

Aldara [package insert]. St. Paul, Minn.: 3M Pharmaceuticals, 2004.

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