Other Skin Cancer Treatments

Chemotherapy for Squamous Cell Carcinomas

Superficial Squamous Cell Carcinoma (also known as Bowen’s Disease) may be able to be treated with topical chemotherapy that is applied to the skin as an ointment or cream. This type of treatment is only for skin cancers that biopsy-proven to affect only the top layer of skin.

Topical Chemotherapy for Superficial Squamous Cell Carcinomas

5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is approved for the treatment of Superficial Squamous Cell Carcinoma, however, invasive Squamous Cell Carcinoma should not be treated topically due to the risk of spread.

Topical Chemotherapy  for Basal Cell Carcinomas

Imiquimod  is a prescription only cream and is approved for the treatment of biopsy-proven superficial Basal Cell Carcinomas that are not otherwise suitable for surgical removal, but is not appropriate for use on invasive Basal Cell Carcinomas.

Topical Chemotherapy Treatment Process

Before administering the cream, the patient should clean and moisten skin (at the most), once clean and moist, the treatment can be administered by the patient themselves or by a Registered Nurse at our Clinic

Topical Chemotherapy Treatment Recovery

Expect some minor pain, redness, swelling, crusting up ‘like a pizza’. It is a non invasive treatment but can be highly unsightly and cause pain for up to 2 months.

Topical Chemotherapy Prognosis

The cure rate for most shallow Basal Cell Carcinomas ranges from 70 to 80%