Chemotherapy 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a chemotherapeutic agent that blocks DNA synthesis,
thereby preventing normal cell growth and ultimately causing cell death. 5-FU is available as a 5 percent cream and a 2 percent and 5 percent solution. It is applied directly to the skin twice a day for four weeks or more. As it works it causes an inflammatory reaction, which heals after the treatment is stopped.
Advantages of 5-FU are that it is easy to use and has minimal adverse effects. Disadvantages are that it may cause redness and a change in the pigment of the skin. After treatment with 5-FU, the tumor may be controlled on the surface but may continue to invade at the base. Recurrence rates are estimated to be 20 to 50 percent, so follow-up is important.
Intravenous 5-FU has been used for skin cancers that have spread to distant sites, but few data are available on how effective this is because of the limited number of cases involved.
Masoprocol Cream Masoprocol cream 10 percent is a new topical therapeutic agent used to treat actinic keratoses. It is applied twice a day for four weeks. It is easy to use. Adverse reactions include erythema, scaling and itching.
