Please login or create an account. If you do not have access to this content, you will be shown a 30 second preview and licensing options.
- Presentation
Alternative Therapies for Lentigo Maligna
Description
In a presentation on alternative therapies for Lentigo Maligna, the speaker discusses non-surgical approaches, highlighting the importance of these options for elderly, frail patients. While surgery is often preferred, there are no randomized trials comparing surgical and non-surgical methods. The speaker emphasizes Imiquimod as the most favored topical treatment, likening it to immunotherapy that stimulates the body's immune response to target abnormal cells. Although it is not FDA-approved for melanoma, it shows promise with clearance rates between 71-88% but carries a 20-24% recurrence rate after five years. The speaker advises caution, as inflammation from Imiquimod is necessary for effectiveness, and provides practical guidance for dosage and application. Case studies illustrate challenges, such as managing expectations around skin changes post-treatment and the risk of misinterpreting signs of disease. The presentation touches on radiation therapy as a secondary option, noting its varied use and unclear benefits in comparison to Imiquimod. Overall, careful patient monitoring and informed discussions about risks and treatment options are crucial.
View moreConclusions
- Among non-surgical approaches, Imiquimod is the most favored option for treating lentigo maligna.
- No randomized trials currently compare surgical versus non-surgical modalities for lentigo maligna.
- Imiquimod shows a clearance rate of 71-88% when used as primary treatment, though 20-24% may recur within five years.
- Effective use of Imiquimod requires an appreciable inflammatory response to work effectively.
- Radiation therapy is not commonly used in the US and lacks clear benefit compared to Imiquimod in many cases.
- The literature on non-surgical treatments, including Imiquimod, is varied and difficult to consolidate due to different protocols.
- Recurrence rates for lentigo maligna vary significantly based on the intent of therapy (primary, neoadjuvant, or adjuvant).
- Close monitoring and surveillance of patients treated with non-surgical methods are crucial for managing potential recurrences.
- MGUIRE LK, DISA JJ, LEE EH et al. 2012. Melanoma of the lentigo maligna subtype: diagnostic challenges and current treatment paradigms. Plast Reconstr Surg129: 288e-99e
- BAX MJ, JOHNSON TM, HARMS PW et al. 2016. Detection of occult invasion in melanoma in situ. JAMA Dermatol;152: 1201-8.
- Longo et al, Dermatol Pract Concept 2023 Jul 1;13(3) PMID 37403983
- Wolf et al 2007, Michaelopoulos et al 2004, Schon and Schon 2006, Micali et al 2014
- Angela Hong et al. 2021. Imiquimod: practical management tips. Australasian Journal of Dermatology (2021) 62, 478-485 doi: 10.1111/ajd.13720
- RAJPAR SF AND MARSDEN JR 2006. Imiquimod in the treatment of lentigo maligna. Br J Dermatol
- SWETTER SM, CHEN FW, KIM DD, EGBERT BM. 2015 Imiquimod 5% cream as primary or adjuvant therapy for melanoma in situ, lentigo maligna type JAAD
- PAPANIKOLAOU M, LAWRENCE CM. 2019. Long-term outcomes of imiquimod-treated lentigo maligna. Clin Exp Dermatol
- TIO DCKS, MONTFRANS CV, RUIJTER CG et al. 2019. Effectiveness of 5% topical imiquimod in lentigo malgina treatment. Acta Derm Venereol Sep;99(10):884-888
- MARSDEN JR et al. 2017 Effect of topical imiquimod as primary treatment for lentigo maligna: the LIMIT-1 study. Br J Dermatol May;176(5):1148-1154
- READ T et al 2016 A systematic review of non-surgical treatments for lentigo maligna. JEADV
- KWAK et al 2022 Clinical and histologic features associated with lentigo maligna clearance after imiquimod treatment. J Dermatol Treat 2022;33(4):1995-1999
- LALLAS et al 2021 Real-world experience of off-label use of imiquimod 5% as an adjuvant therapy after surgery or as monotherapy for lentigo maligna. Br J Dermatol 2021;185:640-682
- SEYED JAFARI 2023 Long-term follow up of lentigo maligna patients. Cancers 2023.15:1546
- HYDE M.A ., et al 2012. a Randomized trial of the off-label use of imiquimod 5% cream with vs without tazarotene 0.1% gel for the treatment of lentigo maligna, followed by conservative staged excisions. Arch Dermatol
- DONIGAN, J. M ., et al 2018. Rate of Recurrence of Lentigo Maligna Treated With Off-Label Neoadjuvant Topical Imiquimod, 5%, Cream Prior to Conservatively Staged Excision. JAMA Dermatol
- SWETTER et al 2015 Imiquimod 5% cream as primary or adjuvant therapy for melanoma in situ, lentigo maligna type JAAD
- KWAK et al 2022 Clinical and histologic features associated with lentigo maligna clearance after imiquimod treatment. J Dermatol Treat 2022;33(4):1995-1999
- Lallas et al 2021 Real-world experience of off-label use of imiquimod 5% as an adjuvant therapy after surgery or as monotherapy for lentigo maligna. Br J Dermatol 2021;185:640-682
- Hedblad and Mallbris 2012; Schmid-Wedtner et al 2000
- Hendrickx et al. Radiation Oncology (2020) 15:174 doi: 10.1186/s13014-020-01615-2