Topical therapy in the treatment of actinic keratosis and basal cell carcinoma.

Actinic keratosis (AK) is an evolving malignant cutaneous neoplasm. AK also is known as solar keratosis and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in situ, either solar keratotic type or keratinocytic intraepidermal neoplasia. AKs can be treated with destructive or topical therapies. This article reviews current and evolving topical therapeutic options for AKs, several of which have been shown to offer substantial benefit in the alleviation of these lesions. The topical therapies include 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), diclofenac sodium, colchicine, retinoids, and imiquimod. Topical treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) with imiquimod also will be discussed.