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Local cryosurgery and imiquimod: A successful combination for the treatment of locoregional cutaneous metastasis of melanoma: A case series
Author(s) -
RivasTolosa Nancy,
OrtizBrugués Ariadna,
ToledoPastrana Tomás,
Baradad Manel,
Traves Víctor,
Soriano Virtudes,
Sanmartín Verónica,
Requena Celia,
Martí Rosa,
Nagore Eduardo
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.9
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1346-8138
pISSN - 0385-2407
DOI - 10.1111/1346-8138.13197
Subject(s) - imiquimod , cryotherapy , medicine , cryosurgery , dermatology , melanoma , adverse effect , surgery , cancer research
Locoregional cutaneous metastases of melanoma (LCMM) represent a therapeutic challenge. Many treatment options are available with varying results. The combination of cryotherapy and imiquimod, two treatments with a possible synergistic effect, has not yet been described for treating this disease. In this paper, we aimed to show the response of LCMM to cryotherapy combined with topical imiquimod 5%. A retrospective review of 20 patients diagnosed with LCMM and treated with cryotherapy combined with topical imiquimod 5% between November 2000 and May 2014 at three institutions was performed. The locoregional cutaneous response was evaluated. After a mean of five sessions, 13 patients (65%) responded to treatment, eight (40%) of these completely and five (25%) partially. Systemic disease progressed in 16 (80%) patients. Cryotherapy followed by topical imiquimod 5% is simple to apply, has minimal adverse effects and provides response rates similar to other, more complex treatment options.