title: Ablative Fractional Laser-Assisted Topical Fluorouracil for the Treatment of Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma In Situ: A Follow-Up Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The authors previously reported the safety and short-term efficacy of ablative fractional laser (AFXL)-assisted delivery of topical fluorouracil in the treatment of superficial basal cell carcinoma (sBCC) and squamous cell carcinoma in situ (SCCis).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This follow-up study was conducted to assess whether tumor clearance was sustained in this cohort of patients at >9 months post-treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty primary sBCC or SCCis <2 cm on the trunk or extremities were treated with AFXL and a single application of topical 5-fluorouracil 5% under occlusion for 7 days. Among the 26 patients who achieved tumor clearance at 4 to 8 weeks post-treatment, 20 patients presented for this follow-up study and underwent shave biopsy to confirm histologic clearance. Mean follow-up time was 15 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Considering those who had persistent tumor at 4 to 8 weeks post-treatment and those who presented for follow-up at >9 months post-treatment, overall treatment success was 79% (95% confidence interval: 67%-96%), with 92% (11/12) for SCCis and 67% (8/12) for sBCC. Neither the tumor location nor size significantly impacted treatment outcome (p = .96 and 0.87, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ablative fractional laser-assisted topical fluorouracil is a reasonable noninvasive treatment option for primary SCCis and sBCC, especially for lesions located in areas where self-application is not possible, or when clinician-administered therapy is preferred.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Dermatology, Boston Medical Center, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts; †Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; ‡Department of Dermatology, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts; §Division of Dermatology, Veterans Affairs-Boston Hospitals, Boston Medical Center, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts; ‖ Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Sarah H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Stephanie D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Gan
authors.forename: Bichchau T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.forename: Nellie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Konnikov
authors.forename: Christine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Liang
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D005121:Extremities; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D054020:Lasers, Gas / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D060726:Torso; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D047368:Tumor Burden
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D005472:Fluorouracil