Intralesional 5-fluorouracil as a treatment modality of keloids.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and side effects of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of keloids of any duration or size.


METHODS
This is a prospective, randomized, uncontrolled trial. Twenty-eight consecutive patients with keloids of varying size and duration were included in the study. All the patients were given intralesional 5-FU at weekly intervals for 12 weeks, and follow-up was done at 24 weeks. Improvement was assessed on a scale of five points, and the side-effects experienced were noted at each visit.


RESULTS
The improvement was more than 50% in the majority of the patients, with no patient showing failure to therapy. The side effects commonly encountered were pain at the injection site, ulceration, and burning sensation. There was no recurrence of symptoms or the lesion during the follow-up period of 24 weeks in any of the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The efficacy of 5-FU is comparable to other singly used modalities as a treatment option for keloids. The lack of any serious side effects and the evidence of recurrence at 24 weeks of follow-up make this a promising modality.
Nanda
Soni
S
Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology, Maulana Azad Medical College and Associated Hospitals, New Delhi, India. sonisood@hotmail.com
Reddy
Belum Seva Negi
BS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000963:Antimetabolites / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007627:Keloid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000963:Antimetabolites; D005472:Fluorouracil