Aldara for the Treatment of Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers

Basal cell carcinoma can be curable if treated early. Common treatments include electrodesiccation and curettage (cauterizing and scraping the lesion), surgical excisiong, and Mohs surgery (a precision surgical technique).

Woman examining her leg
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Another form of treatment, known as Aldara (imiquimod) topical cream, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2004 to treat superficial basal cell carcinoma (sBCC). It works by gently peeling away the lesion and can also be used to treat actinic keratosis (solar keratosis) and genital warts.

Indications for Use

Aldara cream is the only topical formulation used to treat sBCC in adults with normal immune systems. It is recommended when other methods of removal are inappropriate (such as where there are multiple lesions on the face). Aldara activates the immune system to produce a type of protein, known as interferon-alpha, to directly attack cancer cells.

Pre-market research showed that Aldara was able to clear sBCC in 75% of treated individuals; in contrast, placebo cleared only 2% of treated sBCC. Of those successfully treated with Aldara, nearly 80% remained cancer-free after two years.

While research is still ongoing, studies suggest that Aldara may be effective in treating early-stage melanoma (also known as melanoma in situ) if other surgical options are not available.

Treatment Considerations

Aldara is not appropriate for all individuals. Advise your healthcare provider if you are taking other forms of treatment for SBCC, actinic keratosis, genital warts, or any other skin conditions. If so, you may be advised to wait until the current treatment is completed and your skin has healed before starting Aldara.

Aldara may also worsen certain inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis.

It is not known if Aldara can harm a fetus during pregnancy or be transmitted to a baby through breast milk. Speak with your healthcare provider about both the benefits and potential consequences of Aldara if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Application

Aldara is applied to the skin only and should never be used in or near your eyes, lips, nostrils, or open wounds.

Aldara is usually applied only once daily for five days a week. It should be left on the skin for eight hours or overnight. Do not cover the treated area with bandages or other closed dressings. After eight hours, wash the affected skin with mild soap and water.

Treatment should continue for a full six weeks. Continue to use Aldara even if the basal cell lesion is gone unless told otherwise by your dermatologist.

Drug Side Effects

The most common side effect of Aldara is a localized skin reaction, which occurs in roughly a third of all cases. Dermatological symptoms may include:

  • Redness
  • Swelling
  • Sore, blister, or ulcer
  • Thickening or hardening of the skin
  • Changes in skin color
  • Skin peeling
  • Scabbing and crusting
  • Itching and/or burning

The area being treated is likely to look worse before it gets better. Avoid sunlight (or sunlamps) as this may worsen the symptoms. When outdoors, use protective clothing or a hat to cover the affected area. In some cases, any changes to the skin color or texture may be permanent.

Other potential side effects include headaches, back pain, muscle aches, tiredness, fever, swollen lymph nodes, diarrhea, and fungal infections.

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you have a severe skin reaction, if you develop flu-like symptoms, or if sores begin to develop during the first week of therapy.

In rare cases, patients may have no reaction to Aldara; this may suggest the medication is not effective in them. Patients should contact their practitioner if they have no reaction to Aldara after applying it for one week.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Are there signs that Aldara is working?

    There are a few signs which can indicate that Aldara is working. Keep an eye out for how your skin reacts to the cream; sometimes it causes redness, burning, itching, swelling, and tenderness, followed by scabs and flaking as the skin heals. After following the skin cream's directions, if a person shows none of these reactions, the cream may be ineffective for them.

  • How does imiquimod work?

    Imiquimod (Aldara) works as a topical cream by peeling away the lesion that appears due to superficial basal cell carcinoma. It also strengthens the body's immune system to help with the removal of these lesions as well as genital and anal warts.

  • How long does imiquimod take to work?

    The amount of time that imiquimod (Aldara) takes to work will vary. Even if the lesion disappears before treatment is finished, a person should continue to apply imiquimod for the prescribed time period, unless instructed otherwise by their dermatology provider.

6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Basal cell carcinoma: overview.

  2. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Basal cell carcinoma: diagnosis and treatment.

  3. Del rosso JQ. The use of topical imiquimod for the treatment of actinic keratosis: a status report. Cutis. 2005;76(4):241-8.

  4. US Food and Drug Administration. Aldara.

  5. American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD). Imiquimod: Skin Cancer Treatment FAQs.

  6. MedlinePlus. Imiquimod Topical.

Additional Reading
  • National Cancer Institute: National Institutes of Health. Imiquimod.

By Timothy DiChiara, PhD
Timothy J. DiChiara, PhD, is a former research scientist and published writer specializing in oncology.