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Skin cancer: Has anybody had fluorouracil treatment?
My parent has hit the point where she gets four or five pre-cancerouas growths on her face every year. The doctor has been freezing them off with good results.
The Dr. recently suggested she apply a fluorouracil lotion to her face two times a day for two weeks. Apparently, this kills off the defective skin cells and holds down the development of the pre-cancerous growths for about two years. But, my mom is worrying about the redness and unpleasnt effects of the treatment during the 2 to 3 weeks she is dealing with it.
Can anybody who has used this treatment pass on their experience. She wants to hear from people who have done the treatment.
Thanks.
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By the way one of the side effects is deafness if applied close to the ears the swelling squeezed my ear passage on both ears and blocks sound.
@brit2 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Thank you for sharing your detailed story. And, so glad to hear the treatment worked for you!
Has your ear canal opened back up, now? I imagine that side effect was the result of the medication causing a reaction, not the medication itself. Perhaps close proximity to mucus membranes is a factor? Did you notice any change in your breathing/nostrils?
Ginger
@gingerw Yes both are back to normal but during the treatment the left ear suffered a continuous discharge of earwax fluid which as only stopped in the last day or so.
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1 Reaction@gingerw @hawkssr Topical 5-FU can be neurotoxic and ototoxic, for those with partial or full DPD deficiency. Most people with this deficiency are asymptomatic, so would not know without being tested.
I have history of BCC, SCC and pre-cancer sores when using the 5% dose. After the 2-weeks of cream kill the skin, I use a bandage and wound care. Healing takes a week or 2, but eventually my skin heals back to normal with minimal scarring compared to surgical removal of spots that leave scars. (12 so far and another SCC surgery soon)
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1 ReactionHi, I just started the cream treatment today. I have started with my bald head as a test area. I have gotten a lot of helpfull info from this thread. One thing I'm curious about but didn't notice commented about is after applying the ointment is there a point where you can wash the area so that I can wear a hat and not ge getting it coated with the cream? Also what about getting it on my pillowcase? Can I wash my second treatment of the day after a few hours so I don't get it on the pillow? Thanks, Mark
@cmorcat Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! When using the cream, only a very small amount is needed, any place you apply it. In my experience, I put it on the area, a very light amount, and wait for an hour or so before going to bed, or putting a hat on, etc. This allows it to absorb.
Are you doing two applications a day? Wow! Once a day was enough for me.
Ginger
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2 Reactions@gingerw I do use only a small amount and rub it in good. I wasn't aware that it would be absorbed. My concern was it rubbing off and cross-contaminating things that others might come into contact with. Thank you for the info. Mark
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1 Reaction@cmorcat I will be interested to hear how your experience goes! When I first used it, areas I had not applied it to, reacted, and they didn't show as a problem spot [yet]. Oh, heavens, I thought I was having a bad reaction. Nope, just the medication finding the "bad guys".
Ginger
Thank you for your help. I was wondering if it was ok to wear makeup in the beginning to hide some of the redness while at work.
Thank You
Julie