Non-surgical periocular nodular-BCC treatments are successful

Imiquimod (IMQ) 5% cream and radiotherapy (RT) are both effective for treating periocular nodular-based cell carcinoma (BCC), according to a study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Dr Elena Garcia-Martin et al., Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, Zaragoza, Spain, examined 27 patients with clinical and histopathological diagnosis of nodular BCC on the eyelid. IMQ 5% cream was administered in 15 patients once daily 5 days a week for 6 weeks. RT was performed in 12 patients.

Within 3 months of treatment all patients demonstrated histopathological remission. Sustained clinical remission was recorded in every patient after 24 months follow-up. Toleration of treatment for IMQ and RT was recorded as moderate and good, respectively.

The investigation concluded that the non-surgical methods of using IMQ and RT were successful in treating eyelid nodular BCCs. IMQ demonstrated better cosmesis and functional results, whereas RT demonstrated a better tolerability.