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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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@trk12fire Many times! It works. Keep using as directed. Good luck!
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1 Reaction@gingerw
I am in the process of using flouruocil cream for the first time. My prime target area is my forehead and each side of my eyes and my cheekbones. At the end of week 4 (3 weeks 2x a day with cream and 1 week with Dr prescribed Hydrocortizone 2.5%), I am worried about scabbing that doesn't heal. Both my ears have heavy, crusty scabs that bleed a little while I sleep and one cheekbone has a sore the size of a penny (part scab, part open) that oozes but does not totally scab over. Should I be concerned?
Many thanks,
Linda
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1 Reaction@lindagi Many people have a variety of responses to using this treatment. It seems a lot depends on how severe or problematic the area is that is being treated. I know for me that is a good indicator of how things might turn out. If there is more for the fluorouracil to "battle" the more pronounced or length of time for the redness/scabbing. And of course, in my situation, I have sensitive skin anyways, so that can play havoc.
Those areas you described tend to get the hidden spots, being in a sun-kissed area and more prominent. Have you tried some rich Vitamin E cream [just a bit] to help heal everything up, now? Have you checked with your doctor for follow-up?
Ginger
@gingerw
Hi,
Thanks so much for your quick reply! I plan to call my Doctor tomorrow and ask about the Vitamin E cream.
Since I am 81 years old and have loved the beach all my life, I guess I am lucky that this is the first time I needed this treatment. Beach days are behind me but a big sunhat and lots of sun screen are ahead!
Linda
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1 Reaction@lindagi Great job getting to this point! The healing after you stop the cream is so uncomfortable and can take a few weeks, but you will be ok. You may have redness for 6 months. I have done this treatment a lot. Now I only do the combined fluourouracil and calcipotriene (vit D) because it speeds up the process - but you get the same reaction. I find that aquaphor throughout the day is very helpful in the healing process. Gentle cool water cleans in the mornings. Gently tap dry then more aquaphor. For the itching - benadryl at night. Zyrtec or another antihistamine during the day. The hydrocortizone will hopefully help with the itching but I wouldn't put that on the scabs or open weepy spots. Hang in there!! You are almost past the peak worst part.
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1 ReactionI previously did my scalp and forhead back in the beginning of December. I learned what to expect from this cream. I started on my face 11 days ago and have had pretty much the general reaction. It does help you to understand what areas are the most sun damaged by this time. I sooth the discomfort between applications with a CeraVe cream. I know to expect to look like this for about the next 2 weeks based on how my scalp treatment went.
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4 ReactionsHi, yes, I have used this med for about 5 times for 2 weeks at a time. It does make your face or wherever you apply it become quite red and painful. It does work very well though and after about 2 weeks after using it, your skin clears up nicely.
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2 ReactionsI’m a retired medical esthetician of 18yrs. Retired now.
I went to my dermatologist for a spot on my chest that my primary Dr. froze off. Came back with pink too suspicious looking. Basel Cell carcinoma and squamous.
Also I had the dermatologist look at my lip. Pre cancerous. Been on efedux for 12 days…now all the inflammation, chapped, sore reaction I’m using Vaseline which soothes it. Any other suggestions?
I have two sets of stitches with a wound I’m dealing with too on my chest.
80’s girl with pool and Hawaiian Tropic. Didn’t know then.
My journey being a medical esthetician saved me some.
Laura.
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2 Reactions@1lalataylor Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect!
If we only knew back then how our lives might change, laying out in the sun, using baby oil to try for a deep tan. No one told us! Would we have listened?!
The area on your lip is sometimes referred to as actinic cielitis, or "farmer's lip". I am also on a regimen of fluorouracil ointment for that, right now. We are hoping to avoid surgery. The Rx calls out for applying a thin layer at night to the area just under the lip, not on the lip, and washing off in the morning. Vitamin E cream seems to help the discomfort and keep things moisturized. Personally, I really swear by that cream for giving comfort.
Ginger
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1 Reaction@gingerw
The dermatologist started me out with just applying to lip line. After 7 days she wanted me to apply on the full bottom lip…it’s working for sure!
Thanks for reaching out.
Laura
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4 Reactions