BACKGROUND: Five percent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) cream is approved by the FDA for the treatment of superficial basal cell carcinomas but has been underutilized. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to evaluate the efficacy, tolerability, cosmetic outcome, and patient satisfaction of 5% 5-FU in the treatment of superficial basal cell carcinomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 29 patients with 31 biopsy-proven superficial basal cell carcinoma lesions on the trunk or limbs were treated with 5% 5-FU cream twice daily for up to 12 weeks. Treatment could be stopped sooner if the lesion was clinically resolved. The lesional site was surgically excised 3 weeks after the end of treatment for histologic evaluation of cure. RESULTS The histologic cure rate was 90% (28/31 lesions cured) and the mean time to clinical cure was 10.5 weeks. 5-FU was generally well tolerated with a good cosmetic outcome-the majority of patients had no pain or scarring and only mild erythema. Patients were generally very satisfied with their treatment. CONCLUSION: Five percent 5-FU is a highly effective and well-tolerated treatment option for superficial basal cell carcinomas offering a generally good cosmetic outcome and high levels of patient satisfaction.
BACKGROUND: Five percent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) cream is approved by the FDA for the treatment of superficial basal cell carcinomas but has been underutilized. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to evaluate the efficacy, tolerability, cosmetic outcome, and patient satisfaction of 5% 5-FU in the treatment of superficial basal cell carcinomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 29 patients with 31 biopsy-proven superficial basal cell carcinoma lesions on the trunk or limbs were treated with 5% 5-FU cream twice daily for up to 12 weeks. Treatment could be stopped sooner if the lesion was clinically resolved. The lesional site was surgically excised 3 weeks after the end of treatment for histologic evaluation of cure. RESULTS The histologic cure rate was 90% (28/31 lesions cured) and the mean time to clinical cure was 10.5 weeks. 5-FU was generally well tolerated with a good cosmetic outcome-the majority of patients had no pain or scarring and only mild erythema. Patients were generally very satisfied with their treatment. CONCLUSION: Five percent 5-FU is a highly effective and well-tolerated treatment option for superficial basal cell carcinomas offering a generally good cosmetic outcome and high levels of patient satisfaction.
Authors: Stefanie L Thorsness; Azael Freites-Martinez; Michael A Marchetti; Cristian Navarrete-Dechent; Mario E Lacouture; Emily S Tonorezos Journal: J Natl Compr Canc Netw Date: 2019-03-01 Impact factor: 11.908
Authors: Andrew R Tadros; Andrey Romanyuk; Ian C Miller; Andrea Santiago; Richard K Noel; Laura O'Farrell; Gabriel A Kwong; Mark R Prausnitz Journal: Nat Med Date: 2020-03-09 Impact factor: 53.440
Authors: John Paoli; Johan Dahlén Gyllencreutz; Julia Fougelberg; Eva Johansson Backman; Maja Modin; Sam Polesie; Oscar Zaar Journal: Dermatol Pract Concept Date: 2019-04-30