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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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Hello! I'm sure this question has already been asked, but I'm not able to find any posts in response. Forgive me, would you, if I ask it again? I'm bald, and for several years my dermatologist has been freezing various pre-cancerous spots on my scalp; rarely, however, on my face. From others' experience, does it make sense to apply Fluorouracil to my scalp only, leaving my face untreated? I've sent this question to my dermatologist but heard nothing back yet. Thanks! –Ray (@ray666)
@ray666 I have used fluorouracil for many years. My experience is that if my dr has instructed me to apply it to specific spots, other spots will react as well, if there is something there. The first time it happened, I was scared it was an allergic reaction to something, and went running into his office. They explained my system was responding to the topical medication.
Have you had this happen to you, yet? It is a pricey medication, but I wouldn't be opposed to using it allover my face if needed, to stay ahead of any problems.
Ginger
Hi, Ginger (@gingerw) Thanks for telling me about your experience. I received my tube of fluorouracil a few days ago but haven't used it yet. I was turned off by what I'd been hearing about the side effects, especially if I were to apply it all over (scalp, face, neck, etc.). When my dermatologist prescribed fluorouracil, she didn't say anything about coverage (the question I've been trying to ask her), which left me wondering if I might be all right if I applied the cream only to my scalp; more accurately, only to parts of my scalp where I've had to have pre-cancerous cells treated in years past. ––Ray (@ray666)
@ray666 My sister, who is very fair-skinned, uses a course of fluorouracil once a year, and "hibernates" for six weeks. It causes a lot of redness and flaking/irritation for her. She is extremely conscious of her appearance out in public. After about three weeks, she feels comfortable putting on a light moisturizer if needed.
Ginger
Hello again, Ginger (@gingerw). I would guess I, too, meet the definition of "fair-skinned." I can only wish I weren't bald; being bald only adds more treatable square inches to my fair-skinnedness. 🙂 I'm about to phone my dermatologist. Maybe this time, I'll be lucky and get through. ––Ray (@ray666)
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2 ReactionsI am extremely light skinned and used this all over my face.... and stayed home for a month, lol. I figured it was better to do it all at once. That way I wouldn't miss any spots. It only takes a very thin layer and it reacts to any area that has a rapid turnover of cells..like when you blow your nose a lot. It's like a severe sunburn in the bad spots. Annoying and painful for a few days. It's really not that bad. And it's nice to know nothing got missed.
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2 ReactionsFlouracil takes longer to act and has more extensive side effects than more recently developed alternative treatments (e.g., photodynamic daylight therapy with Metvix). It’s puzzling why dermatologists still prescribe Flouracil.
I started my treatment five days ago, applying twice a day . My face hasn’t been red , burning , or felt irritated at all . It that normal ? I’m seeing where by now I should
Have side effects , but nothing ? Slight tightness .. has anyone else had no reaction to the cream ? Thank you
@shortpole1 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! We each have our unique health journeys, and I will say, that in the next few days you might be seeing the "working" of the treatment. It may be that your situation is not real pronounced, but I bet there is "something" going on below the surface, literally. Some people seem to have few visible effects of this topical treatment.
What condition does the doctor have you using the fluorouracil for, if I may ask?
Ginger
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2 ReactionsWanted to give everyone info I got from meeting with both Mayo doctors as well as University of Miami. Quick background of me: multiple SCC's over the past 5 years. Last year, 2023, had over 12 surgeries, and began getting reactive SCC's with every surgery and biosopy.
What I learned for me, no more surgeries and no more biosopies, only Flourcil injections at the SCC site.
Additionally, regarding using the Flouricl cream or liquid, this is good for preventative SCC's. I am doing this now every year on all on my limbs, which is where I get the SCC's. Also, I am doing blue light on my face and chest each year.
I hope this info helps.
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