Treatment of Stage IA Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma With Topical Application of the Immune Response Modifier Imiquimod

A 52-year-old woman with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) presented to the dermatology clinic for treatment. She had a more than 10-year history of episodic dry, itchy patches over her trunk and extremities. Previous biopsy specimens obtained from the patches revealed histopathologic changes typical of CTCL. Treatment with a number of topical steroid preparations and topical nitrogen mustard and carmustine had been ineffective. On physical examination, she had 2 clinically similar, welldemarcated patches with mild erythema and scale involving less than 10% of her total body surface area (stage IA). She had no evidence of systemic involvement.