Immunotherapy is the name given to cancer treatments that use the immune system to attack cancer cells.

An immunotherapy cream called imiquimod (Aldara®) stimulates the immune system and may be used to treat some small, superficial basal cell cancers. It is usually used in areas where surgery may be difficult or for people who have more than one tumour.

You will be given the cream to take home. You will be asked to apply it once a day for a number of weeks. You will be given instructions by your doctor or specialist nurse. Some redness or crusting of the skin occurs during the treatment but there should be no permanent scarring.

You may be asked to take part in a research trial comparing imiquimod with surgery.