Use of unlicensed black salve for cutaneous malignancy

To the Editor: The most frequently diagnosed cancers in Australia are non-melanoma skin cancers.1 Recommended treatments include surgical excision, radiotherapy and topical chemotherapy for in-situ lesions.2 There has been an increase in sales of lotions and salves that claim to eradicate skin lesions and promote removal of skin cancers. In 2012, the Therapeutic Goods Administration issued a public warning strongly advising patients against the use of red and black salves.3 We report a recent case illustrating the complications resulting from use of these unlicensed products.