Therapy of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in two retirement home residents

The incidence of cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) has been increasing by about 5% per year of the past 40 years in a population which is growing continuously older and as such presents a growing therapeutic challenge. We report on two elderly female residents of a retirement home with histologically confirmed SCC on the back of the hand. In one case the tumor was completely excised and covered with a graft. In the second case the patient refused all surgical and radiotherapeutic procedures. We sought an adequate therapeutic alternative considering the extent and thickness of the tumor. Topical application of the immune response modifier imiquimod appeared to represent an alternative solution because of its unique antineoplastic mode of action, even though there was no published experience with this approach. She has remained tumor-free for four years, justifying our decision. In both cases, a comparable cosmetic result with full functional capacity of the hands was obtained. Imiquimod 5% cream was approved last year for the treatment of superficial basal cell carcinoma.