Topical therapies for nonmelanoma skin cancers

Abstract

As the incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) continues to rise, topical therapies may be used with increasing frequency. Topical therapies are currently being utilized mainly as primary or adjunctive means of treating NMSC. Although surgical therapies, such as Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS), remain the mainstay for tumor removal, topical therapy can provide an alternative treatment modality for some skin cancer patients as well as serving as a useful adjunct to surgery. Topical therapies may also increase overall efficacy in the management of subclinical lesions and identifying asymmetrical growth of NMSCs. In some patients, such as high-risk surgical candidates, they may be used to avoid or to minimize the extent of surgery. Topical therapies may also be helpful in a diagnostic manner. In instances where biopsy sites are equivocal, topical therapies may facilitate tumor identification prior to surgery.