The Use of Imiquimod in the Treatment of Periocular Tumours

Purpose: To review our experience with 5% topical Imiquimod in the treatment of periocular tumours.Methods: Imiquimod, an imidazoquinoline, is an immune response modifier which has been shown to have potent anti-viral and anti-tumour activity. We present a retrospective case series of 5 patients who received topical Imiquimod for various eyelid tumours. Two patients were diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma of the eyelid, one patient with actinic keratosis, one with intraepidermal squamous cell carcinoma (Bowen’s disease) and one patient had concomitant squamous cell carcinoma and intraepidermal squamous cell carcinoma.Results: All 5 patients, with various eyelid neoplastic/pre-neoplastic pathology, responded well with clinical resolution, to treatment with topical Imiquimod. There were few adverse reactions to periocular use of 5% Imiquimod, with only 1 patient developing a chemical conjunctivitis which resolved on dose reduction.Conclusions: There is limited experience and published literature on the use...