Topical 5-fluorouracil in treating epithelial neoplasia of the conjunctiva and cornea.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of topical 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in treating conjunctival and corneal epithelial neoplasia.


METHODS
Three patients underwent surgical excision of bulky disease followed by topical 1% 5-FU in artificial tear base for 2 to 3 weeks or until epithelial separation occurred. An additional three patients underwent treatment with topical 1% 5-FU alone.


RESULTS
Minimum follow-up was 6 months. In one patient with conjunctival in situ carcinoma and no detectable normal conjunctiva, who had normal findings on conjunctival histologic examination after application of topical 5-FU, a focus of invasive disease requiring orbital exenteration. One patient had a favorable response to 5-FU therapy but required a repeat excision for control of bulky disease. Four patients have remained disease-free for 10, 13, 18, and 30 months after topical 5-FU therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
With its potential selective toxicity on dysplastic epithelium, topical 5-FU shows promise as an adjunctive treatment for managing conjunctival and corneal epithelial neoplasia.
Yeatts
R P
RP
Department of Ophthalmology, Wake Forest University Eye Center, NC, USA.
Ford
J G
JG
Stanton
C A
CA
Reed
J W
JW
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001706:Biopsy; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000473:pathology; D003230:Conjunctival Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D005472:Fluorouracil