Title
Escharotic and other botanical agents for the treatment of skin cancer: a review
UMMS Affiliation
Department of Medicine, Division of Dermatology
Publication Date
9-2005
Document Type
Article
Subjects
Carcinoma, Basal Cell; Cheek; Complementary Therapies; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Mohs Surgery; Nose Neoplasms; Ointments; *Phytotherapy; *Plants, Medicinal; Rumex; Sanguinaria; Scalp; Skin Neoplasms; Treatment Failure; Trifolium
Disciplines
Alternative and Complementary Medicine | Dermatology | Neoplasms | Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases
Abstract
A growing era of alternative medicine is upon us. All who practice medicine have a small population of patients who eschew Western medicine and prefer alternative approaches, including botanical remedies, to treat their medical problems. Many alternative practitioners advertise and sell products on the Internet. Indeed, this trend now includes a growing number of topical treatments for skin cancer, including escharotic agents.
Self-treatment of skin cancer requires a substance that will destroy tissue, usually indiscriminately. Escharotic agents are caustic, corrosive substances that produce a thick coagulated crust (an eschar) and subsequently a scar.
The following case illustrates one representative situation.
DOI of Published Version
10.1016/j.jaad.2005.04.090
Source
Jellinek N, Maloney ME. Escharotic and other botanical agents for the treatment of skin cancer: a review. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2005 Sep;53(3):487-95. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2005.04.090.
Journal/Book/Conference Title
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
Related Resources
PubMed ID
16112359
Repository Citation
Jellinek, Nathaniel J. and Maloney, Mary E., "Escharotic and other botanical agents for the treatment of skin cancer: a review" (2005). Dermatology Publications and Presentations. 23.
https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/derm_pubs/23