5-fluorouracil iontophoretic therapy for Bowen's disease.
BACKGROUND
Topical 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is an accepted therapy for Bowen's disease. Recurrences with this method have been attributed to deep follicular involvement and poor patient compliance because of the prolonged treatment time required.


OBJECTIVE
We sought to determine whether iontophoresis of 5-FU is an effective therapy for Bowen's disease.


METHODS
Twenty-six patients with biopsy-proven Bowen's disease received eight 5-FU iontophoretic treatments in 4 weeks. Local excision was done 3 months after the last treatment. The specimens were step-sectioned and evaluated for any histologic evidence of bowenoid changes.


RESULTS
Only 1 of 26 patients showed histologic evidence of Bowen's disease 3 months after treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
5-FU iontophoresis appears to be a safe, effective, and well-tolerated therapy for Bowen's disease.
Welch
M L
ML
Dermatology Service, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, USA.
Grabski
W J
WJ
McCollough
M L
ML
Skelton
H G
HG
Smith
K J
KJ
Menon
P A
PA
Anderson
L L
LL
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001913:Bowen's Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007478:Iontophoresis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D005472:Fluorouracil