Each year more than 1 million cases of skin cancer are reported. The most common type of skin cancer is basal cell cancer, which accounts for 80 percent of all skin cancers. The other types of skin cancer includes squamous and melanoma.
The overall cure rate averages about 85 percent to 95 percent, depending on the extent of the disease and the type of treatment used.
Surgery is the most common option, but now doctors have another treatment option for patients. The Food and Drug Administration has approved a skin cream called imiquimod 5% for early stage basal cell cancer.
This topical cream is also known as Aldara. It was originally developed and used for the treatment of genital warts. It’s a cream that works with the patient’s immune system. When applied to the skin, it stimulates an immune response.
The patient’s skin will often become red and scabbed. The immune cells infiltrate the area, and then they recognize the cancer cells as foreign and initiate an attack against them. How often the cream is applied and for how long can vary among patients.