Nonsyndromic multiple basal cell carcinomas successfully treated with imiquimod 5% cream.

This report describes the case of a 60-year-old man with nonsyndromic multiple basal cell carcinomas that responded to imiquimod 5% cream. The patient had no additional anomalies suggesting any syndromes associated with multiple basal cell carcinomas. By applying the agent 5 times a week for 20 weeks, we obtained good clinical results, and we confirmed the improvement with histopathologic examination. We suggest that patients with multiple basal cell carcinomas should be interviewed about and tested for the associated syndromes, and topical imiquimod should be kept in mind as an alternative therapy choice in these patients.

Terra firma-forme dermatosis.

Terra firma-forme dermatosis (TFFD) is an uncommon disorder of keratinization with an unknown etiology in which patients present with dirt-like lesions that are resistant to washing. A 6-year old girl presented with the complaint of an asymptomatic brownish black dirt-like eruption on her body. Her parents reported no response to washing with soap and water. Dermatologic examination revealed brown hyperpigmented patches on the trunk and abdominal region. TFFD was suspected, and isopropyl alcohol was applied to the patient's lesions. All lesions completely disappeared after rubbing with alcohol. Terra firma-forme dermatosis is a relatively recently described entity that is much more common than might be expected when surveying the medical literature. With the very few reports found in the literature about TFFD, we believe that an increased awareness of this entity among primary care physicians would help decrease unnecessary worries or medical procedures, since TFFD lesions simply resolve by rubbing with isopropyl alcohol.