[Tirbanibulin in large field of cancerization: new approach for sequential treatment of contiguous areas.]

Abstract

Actinic keratosis (AK) is a common cutaneous keratinocyte dysplasia characterized by the abnormal proliferation of atypical epidermal keratinocytes; an area that presents photoinduced subclinical changes, similar to those found in AKs, on the periphery of clinically visible AKs is defined as a field of cancerization. Its treatment, rather than a treatment aimed at the single lesion, is more recommended as it manages the subclinical damage and prevents the onset of a possible squamous cell carcinoma. Among the field therapies, tirbanibulin has recently been introduced with an innovative mechanism of action that determines cellular apoptosis and consequently a poor local inflammatory reaction. We present the case of an 82-year-old patient, known for previous removals of squamous cell carcinomas at the vertex and currently suffering from a large field of cancerization in the nose and scalp, to whom we proposed a sequential treatment with three cycles of tirbanibulin in contiguous areas. The treatment was well tolerated and allowed complete clearance to be obtained on the nose and > 95% on the scalp, with a reduction of the Actinic Keratosis Area and Severity Index (AKASI) from 9.4 to 1.4.