Riverside, CA: The topical application of an ointment containing 20 percent CBD eliminated a cancerous lesion in a 64-year-old woman with a history of squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), according to a case report published in the journal Cureus.
Researchers affiliated with the University of California at Riverside and with UC Davis summarized their findings. They wrote: “A woman with multiple biopsy-confirmed cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas presented with a new red plaque on her dorsal left hand. Biopsy revealed lichen simplex chronicus; however, she self-initiated treatment with topical cannabinoid oil, twice daily, and the lesion completely resolved within four weeks. Several prior biopsy-confirmed squamous cell carcinomas on her dorsal hands also completely regressed after similar treatment with topical cannabinoid oil.”
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common form of skin cancer.
Authors concluded: “Both malignant cancer and chronic dermatitis completely resolved within four weeks of twice-daily treatment. We attribute the clearance of her skin tumor to the cannabidiol. … Therefore, the possibility of treating non-melanoma skin cancer, such as squamous cell carcinoma, with topical cannabinoids may warrant further investigation.”
Numerous preclinical studies, as well as a limited number of case reports, document cannabinoids’ ability to act as antineoplastic agents.
The topical application of cannabinoids has shown benefits in the treatment of a variety of skin-related conditions, including psoriasis, erythema, pruritis, and acne. It has has also been associated with wound healing in patients with refractory leg ulcers and with the rare skin blistering disease epidermolysis bullosa.
Full text of the case report, “Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and lichen simplex chronicus successfully treated with topical cannabinoid oil: A case report and summary of cannabinoids in dermatology,” appears in Cureus. A summary of studies assessing cannabinoids’ anti-cancer properties is available from NORML.
Source: NORML – make a donation