title: Fluorouracil paste treatment of thin basal cell carcinomas.
abstract: Treatment of thin (superficial) basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) with topical fluorouracil is widely accepted despite the absence of published five-year cure rates. The published short-term data disclose treatment failure rates substantially higher than other modalities. In trials to improve and standardize topical fluorouracil therapy, thin BCCs were treated with 25% fluorouracil in petrolatum under occlusion for three weeks using weekly dressing changes. Of 44 thin BCCs treated only with 25% fluorouracil under occlusion for three weeks, the five-year cumulative recurrence rate was 21%. In a second series of 244 BCCs, light curettage preceded the 25% fluorouracil treatment to yield a five-year cumulative recurrence rate of 6%. Cosmetic results were good to excellent in more than 80% of both series. While fluorouracil by itself is not a satisfactory treatment for thin BCC, when combined with light curettage, topical fluorouracil therapy is capable of cure rates competitive with other modalities.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009824:Ointments; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D009824:Ointments; D005472:Fluorouracil