Skin cancer: Has anybody had fluorouracil treatment?

Ahh makes sense. Hang in there - you’re half way through! I just finished my right forearm and now am spot treating face. Left forearm next. It’s a brutal treatment but better than more surgery/scarring.

Worth every penny. Your other option being what exactly? Waiting until you have skin cancer and hope your insurance covers it in full?

I'm thankful to find this forum. I just completed a 2 week treatment with Fluorouracil cream. I was applying to precancerous lesion on my nose. I wasn't told much by my dermatologist except to use twice daily on my entire nose area and see her in 3 months. Thank you very much. I did not expect the reaction I got from the medication. My nose is swollen, bright red, sore, and the skin is very tight. I have various stages of blisters and scabs. I called a local pharmacist as well as the dermatology office to get further clarification such as: Can I use sunscreen during treatment? Will this redness diminish? Will my skin return to normal? It is distressing to me. I've resorted to putting a bandaid over my entire nose and wearing a hat whenever outside. I feel very fatigued and don't know if this is partially to blame. I've had MOH's surgery for a basal CA above my left eyebrow and have had other lesions burned off. This is my first experience with the cream. I'm thankful for this forum to hear your experiences. I find it very comforting thank you! I also just learned about IG-SRT and will consider that if I need future "surgery".

I’ve used it several times. The reaction you described is what I experienced. My Dr Derm told me that is what it does. If there is no precancer then there is no reaction. It will heal over the next couple of weeks.

@barbie2 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! As @tjm53 said, and I'll bet others are nodding their heads [me, too!], what you are experiencing is common. Some of us have more severe responses to this topical medication when there are more presentations of underlying precancerous spots.

I recall being so freaked out the first time I used this cream, when so much of my face broke out in angry spots. I thought it was an allergic reaction! Nope, it was the cream doing its job. Still working, I just "grinned and beared it". Used it as education for those who were brave enough to to comment on my predicament, to wear sunscreen!

It will take time to get through. Be gentle to yourself, and to your skin. After a couple of weeks, when it has had time to really work, I start back on using a lightweight sunscreen. Before that, I don't want to dilute the effects. Stay out of the sun if you can. Yes, wear a hat!
Ginger

Thank you tjm53! Since I posted my comment 3 days ago, I am starting to see some improvement! I'm wearing a large bandaid across my entire nose area anytime I'm outside along with the wearing of a hat! Time is the great healer as the saying goes!

Thank you @gingerw for your reply! I'm starting to see a tiny bit of improvement on my lesions. I'm very encouraged by this. Will continue to wear the bandaid across my nose and the hat when outside! I appreciate your reply to me. Sending hugs, Barb

A few more days have passed, @barbie2. How are things going now with the lesions?

Just got on this site.. yes, I’ve used the cream a few times. It wasn’t too bad.

@tresa1 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! Where was this cream used, for you? Was it successful for you?
Ginger