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Imiquimod‐induced vitiligo after treatment of nodular basal cell carcinoma
Author(s) -
Gowda Smitha,
Tillman Donald K.,
Fitzpatrick James E.,
Gaspari Anthony A.,
Goldenberg Gary
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of cutaneous pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1600-0560
pISSN - 0303-6987
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0560.2008.01134.x
Subject(s) - imiquimod , depigmentation , medicine , vitiligo , dermatology , basal cell carcinoma , curettage , biopsy , pathology , stain , basal cell , staining
An 84‐year‐old male presented with recurrent nodular infiltrative basal cell carcinoma on the left shoulder. The patient was treated with curettage followed by the application of topical imiquimod 5% cream five times a week. The patient discontinued imiquimod after a total of 18 applications because of local inflammation. Depigmentation was noted in the treated area 11 months after the initiation of treatment with imiquimod. The depigmented area did not resolve 14 months after treatment initiation. Histologic examination of the depigmented area established the absence of melanin using Fontana‐Masson stain and the absence of melanocytes using S‐100 and Melan A stains. The adjacent unaffected skin showed a normal number of melanocytes and melanin pigment. To our knowledge, this is the first biopsy‐proven case of vitiligo in an imiquimod‐treated area.