ALDARA IMIQUIMOD TO TREAT SKIN CANCER

My biopsy indicated a small area of Nodular Basal Cell Carcinoma Skin Cancer approximately one inch below my left eye. My doctor advised Mohs surgery and we scheduled surgery for early December but a death in the family postponed the surgery to early February of 2007. On February 1, 2007, after many sleepless nights compounded by viewing countless photos of ghastly surgical incisions on the internet, I walked into the skin cancer surgery facility and left minutes later.

It's not that I didn't believe Mohs surgery would work for skin cancer. In my research I had discovered it was highly effective for skin cancer and created less damage then other treatments but I've always had reservations about "slash and burn" techniques on the human body.  In the back of my mind, I kept thinking of  how my uncle had rid himself of skin cancer with Aldara - a drug primarily used for the treatment of warts but is proving highly successful in the treatment of Basal Cell Carcinoma Skin Cancer. However, my biopsy indicated Nodular Basal Cell Cancer Skin Cancer. Interestingly, Aldara or Imiquimod has been largely recommended for Superficial  Basal Cell Skin Cancer. Additionally, a number of Aldara Studies showed good success with Nodular Basal Cell Skin Cancer and many more are currently underway. Would it work?  I was willing to give it a try and after two months of treatment I was prepared to go through Mohs surgery if it did not work.

The Aldara application was started on a known nodular basal cell area beneath the left eye, on a suspected superficial basal cell on the top left of the forehead at the hairline and on a suspected pimple like growth on the tip of my nose that may be Nodular Basal Cell Skin Cancer. No results occurred for the first three days. On day four and five redness and swelling on the Nodular Basal Cell beneath the eye and on the tip of my nose plus a pronounced redness on the Superficial Basal Cell Skin Cancer near the hairline. The Aldara application generally extended one half to one centimeter from the target area and this produced expanded results on the spot below the eye, on the nose, and on the spot near the hairline. I've concluded it takes a few days for the Aldara to take effect and the necessary reaction to begin. Once it begins it appears to branch out and attack any other problems in the area.

Swelling, soreness and burning commencing upon Aldara application to problem areas.  The inflamed condition increased and a slight oozing occurred from the spot on the nose plus a large localized redness that extended beyond the application area below the eye.  A consistent red zone appeared on the spot below the hairline believed to be Superficial Basal Cell Skin Cancer. Side effects included headache, tiredness, swollen lymph nodes under the arm and behind the ear on the left side of body. The end of week two scabs began to form as the swelling went down. Aldara seems to absorb into the surrounding skin and possibly only reacts to areas that are precancerous or cancerous.  Some areas with Aldara application produced no reaction at all. Other areas "lit up" over one centimeter away from the application area creating a new spot that is now receiving an Aldara application.

One week off has been necessary to address sore lymph nodes.  I suspect my regiment may have been a bit too aggressive. During this time redness decreased substantially but scabbing continued with the colors of the scabs turning from green to dark brown or black. At the end of the week scabs began to fall off in places revealing new skin beneath. The lymph node swelling decreased one to two days after cessation of application indicating Aldara is a powerful drug with possible strong side effects. Since Aldara must penetrate through the skin to the lower levels it makes little sense to apply Aldara to a scabbed layer of skin.

Scabs on tip of nose have fallen off revealing new baby smooth skin with no visible discoloration or scarring albeit some slight redness in the area.  However, a pimple like elevated spot has surfaced approximately one centimeter up from the tip of the nose on the perimeter of the previous Aldara application area.  I will treat this area with Aldara and look for a reaction.  I can't tell if it is a pimple or something else. I am treating with 2 days on followed by 1 day off which will still provide an application period of 4 times per week. On day three of week four it appears the newly discovered pimple like protrusion is quickly disappearing.  After two days of Aldara application there is no more increased redness than before.  Fourth week complete and the small pimple noticed earlier has disappeared.  Slight redness in Aldara application areas but it seems to be lessening.  I can still feel a bit of itching and activity in areas near the application area and even one centimeter away, often times beneath the skin.  Possible conclusion is that small infected areas lie beneath the skin possibly connected to the original sites and are undergoing treatment.

Redness in areas continues with Aldara application.  I believe there may be a second round of scabbing on the nose but I am not sure at this time.  The nose is still red around the application area but there is no itching or burning leaving me to believe the Aldara has successfully treated the affected area.  The spot under the eye is still red but no visible scabbing or the aching sensation, much like a toothache, that previously followed application.  The spot on the forehead below the hairline is almost gone and will receive Aldara through week six.  The two days on and one day off Aldara application has left no lymph node swelling leaving me to believe the dosage may have been a bit strong in the past.  End of week five and I'm sorry to see three new spots have popped up approximately one centimeter to the right of the nose and application to this area is creating some redness and swelling.

The small growth on the forehead is almost gone. There is still swelling and redness under the left eye roughly the size of a dime. Another reddish patch exists on the right cheek and the skin has become rough much like sandpaper. The nose is also rough although redness is almost gone. During application I am still feeling activity in areas adjacent to the Aldara - much like an itching or burning underneath the skin. I am going to continue treatment for week seven then discontinue treatment to evaluate the results.  I will likely continue treatment for a period of 4-5 weeks on the area underneath the left eye (known nodular BCC).  End of week seven and I have a new scab near the original biopsy site.  I have concluded that if the original surgery were done it would likely have resulted in removal of an area one or two centimeters.

Redness and roughness are disappearing from treated areas.  I plan on resuming treatment in three more weeks on all spots, with the exception of the one on the forehead, to see if any reaction occurs.  If a reaction occurs then treatment will resume for five more weeks.

Redness almost completely gone.  Skin appears noticeably better.

I did not do the follow up treatment as it appears the cancer had disappeared.  I visited my doctor for a checkup to see if surgery would be necessary to verify results and he recommended we wait and see if anything returns.  He was quite amazed by the results and could not find any visible evidence of the cancerous spots.