Long-Term Topical Tretinoin and Excess Mortality in Older Patients

Abstract

The possibility that nonmelanoma skin cancers might be prevented by use of topical and systemic retinoids has long been of interest, although few data are available on use in patients with extensive actinic damage. Recently, investigators conducted a placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicenter clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 0.1% tretinoin cream in subjects at risk for nonmelanoma skin cancers. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the study enrolled 1131 veterans at six sites …