title: Topical applications of 5-fluorouracil in the medical treatment of cholesteatoma of the middle ear.
abstract: Recent studies have demonstrated that aural cholesteatoma features intense DNA turnover in the germinative layer of the matrix and an immune response in the wall of the cyst, which trigger a chain reaction. 5-Fluorouracil, an antimetabolitic agent that is also effective topically, was applied to the cyst wall in the initial cholesteatoma, in relapsing cholesteatoma (even transtympanically) and in large exudative cavities resulting from attico-antrectomy: in all cases, it inhibited the formation of keratin and reduced the mucous hypersecretion. These results have persisted even after 12 months of suspending treatment.
authors.affiliation: ENT Department, Piove di Sacco, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Sala
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D002781:Cholesteatoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D004432:Ear, Middle; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D005472:Fluorouracil