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Skin cancer: Has anybody had fluorouracil treatment?

Posted by starship @starship, Dec 14, 2022

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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mantatee | @mantatee | Jan 26 9:34pm
In reply to @gingerw "I myself am on day 4 of my regimen. So far no response, but I know..." + (show)
@gingerw

I myself am on day 4 of my regimen. So far no response, but I know it's going to happen. Best of luck to you.
Ginger

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Keep us updated.

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flagsdad | @flagsdad | Jan 27 9:42am

Yes I use it as needed, it has worked in short order

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Ray Kemble | @ray666 | Jan 27 11:29am

Regarding "flaring" and when to expect it on the 14-day regimen–– My dermatologist had given me her OK to divide my bald head into two sectors: rear and front. I started applying the fluorouracil to the rear one day, then on the front six days later. The sectors showed not much signs of flaring, not until each sector's Day 10 or 11. I'm not done with applying the fluorouracil to either sector and watching to see how all spots of evidence of flaring gradually fade.

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1 reply
Ray Kemble | @ray666 | Jan 27 11:30am
In reply to @ray666 "Regarding "flaring" and when to expect it on the 14-day regimen–– My dermatologist had given me..." + (show)
@ray666

Regarding "flaring" and when to expect it on the 14-day regimen–– My dermatologist had given me her OK to divide my bald head into two sectors: rear and front. I started applying the fluorouracil to the rear one day, then on the front six days later. The sectors showed not much signs of flaring, not until each sector's Day 10 or 11. I'm not done with applying the fluorouracil to either sector and watching to see how all spots of evidence of flaring gradually fade.

Jump to this post

Whoops! I had meant to say: "I'm NOW done with applying the fluorouracil to either sector … "

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Feb 14 4:55pm

To give an update, I did a topical course of the fluorouracil ointment for 2.5 weeks on my face. Reactions started showing about day 7, and peaked all the way to the end, when I stopped it. It is now about 10 days past the last application, and areas are finally calming down. The most significant reaction was on the top of my right cheekbone, and my lower lip [called "farmer's lip"]. On 6 March I return to the dermatologist for excision of a new squamous cell site on my right forearm.
Ginger

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