Topical Tretinoin Treatment in Basal Cell Carcinoma

BACKGROUND. The efficiency of topical tretinoin was examined in a patient with basal cell carcinomas (BCC) for which conventional means of removal was inappropriate. METHODS. Topical tretinoin was used to treat multiple arsenic‐induced superficial BCCs in a 64‐year‐old woman. Topical tretinoin (0.05% twice daily) was administered to four lesions for 3 weeks followed by a 3‐week interruption. RESULTS. After three cycles of treatment clinical healing of all the lesions was observed. Histopathological examination of the lesional biopsies showed no evidence of a tumor. However, 9 months later all four lesions relapsed and surgical excision disclosed BCC. CONCLUSION. The data indicate that topical tretinoin treatment of multiple superficial BCCs induces clinical and pathological regression of the lesions with a high rate of relapse. This report suggests that topical tretinoin is not an effective therapy for the cure of arsenic‐induced superficial BCCs.