This case report explores whether combining topical 5% imiquimod with selective surgical excision may help control in-transit melanoma in selected patients seeking a less invasive approach.
In their study, Control over cure, a patient-centred approach, Dr Phoebe Bardoul and Skin Cancer NZ Chair Dr Susan Seifried examine a case report suggesting that combining topical 5% imiquimod with selective surgical removal may help control in-transit melanoma in selected patients who prefer a less invasive treatment approach.
The case report describes an 85-year-old man with multiple in transit melanoma deposits on his face and scalp. While imiquimod is established for melanoma in situ, its use in invasive melanoma remains largely unstudied. The patient declined systemic immunotherapy and surgery under general anaesthetic, opting instead for topical imiquimod alongside selective removal of deposits under local anaesthetic. The case suggests this approach may provide disease control for selected patients.
This study was presented as an e-poster at the 2026 NZ Skin Cancer Summit.