title: Bowen's disease and 5-fluorouracil.
abstract: Sixty-six confirmed cases of Bowen's disease (intraepidermal squamous cell carcinoma) were seen from 1965 through 1976: twenty-four cases were treated surgically-four by excision (two recurrences) and twenty by desiccation and curettage (four recurrences); one was treated with x-ray radiation; and forty-one were treated with topical 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (three recurrences). Of the six surgical recurrences (25% recurrence), one was retreated by desiccation and curettage and five with 5-FU. Of the three recurrences after 5-FU (8% recurrence), all three were successfully retreated with 5-FU. In view of the generally high recurrence rate after all treatment modalities in Bowen's disease, related to both the ill-defined lateral margins and the frequent follicular involvement with the Bowen's process, prolonged treatment time is required for success with 5-FU. Treatment times employed were 4 to 12 weeks, with a median of 9 weeks. 5-FU concentration ranged from 1% to 3 % in propylene glycol. A 1% concentration of 5-FU was generally adequate on the face, except for occasional recalcitrant areas, such as the nose and eyebrow. A concentration of 2.5% to 3.0% was usually necessary for treatment of Bowen's disease on the other body areas.
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001913:Bowen's Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D005472:Fluorouracil