Seborrheic keratoses: a study comparing the standard cryosurgery with topical calcipotriene, topical tazarotene, and topical imiquimod.

BACKGROUND: Patients with seborrheic keratoses frequently desire an effective topical therapy for seborrheic keratoses.

OBJECTIVE: To compare topical calcipotriene, topical tazarotene, and topical imiquimod with standard cryosurgery in the treatment of seborrheic keratoses.

METHODS: Fifteen patients with numerous seborrheic keratoses were enrolled in an open-label study comparing cryosurgery with topical agents. Eight separate seborrheic keratoses were selected to be treated with topical medications. One lesion was treated with cryosurgery.

RESULTS: One treatment with cryosurgery led to clinical and histological improvement of all lesions treated. Neither scarring nor recurrence resulted in cryosurgery. In seven of 15 patients, tazarotene 0.1% cream applied BID caused clinical improvement in lesions within 16 weeks.

CONCLUSION: Cryosurgery produces clinical and histological improvement of seborrheic keratoses. The result with cryosurgery was cosmetically acceptable to all patients. Responders to tazarotene cream 0.1% found it cosmetically acceptable.