Rare Tumors (Jun 2021)

A case report of imiquimod topical therapy as treatment for cutaneous metastasis of breast cancer

  • Anthony L Nguyen,
  • Esther G Chong,
  • Joanne Lee,
  • Saied Mirshahidi,
  • Hamid Mirshahidi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/2036361320975748
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13

Abstract

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Cutaneous metastasis of breast cancer carries a poor prognosis, invokes a poor quality of life, and increases mortality by raising one’s risk of bleeding and infection. Currently, options for treatment are systemic chemotherapy, surgical resection and radiation. These treatments are invasive and can have toxic side effects. A 50-year-old African-American woman with stage IV breast cancer with cutaneous metastasis to the left anterior chest and left supraclavicular area was successfully treated with topical imiquimod. She experienced improvement in appearance and symptoms within several months of starting treatment, resulting in near resolution of her cutaneous metastasis. Imiquimod is currently approved for several cutaneous conditions and has the potential to treat cutaneous metastasis of breast cancer.