Using Fluorouracil

[misanman]

My dermatologist has given me a prescription for fluoruracil cream to be used on my face as a treatment for actinic keratosis.

I haven't used it yet and I'm trying to identify a time period where it would be least disruptive. Is there anyone out there that has used it? How did it go and what might I expect?

How long before the skin returns to more-or-less normal?

 

[latexman]

Yes, was prescribed fluoruracil cream to kill precancerous and cancerous areas so surgical removal was not needed. It worked great since I avoided Mohs surgery! It took about 1-2 months for the areas that had cancer to totally dry up, turn dark (think scabby), flake off, and return to normal color and appearance.

 

[DuluthGA]

I did it in February. Did forehead, cheeks under eyes and ear tops. Got ugly red for a couple of weeks then cleared up over a couple of weeks. Still nice and smooth.

 

[zinger1457]

I've used it a couple times, the last time was this spring where I was given a combination cream of fluorouracil and calcipotriene. The calcipotriene is a vitamin d cream that is supposed to promote healing. My treatment was twice a day for 7 days, 3 weeks off, then another twice a day for 7 days. For the first week redness started showing up at about day 6 then it got noticeably worse the following week, looked like someone took a blow torch to my face. The second 7 day treatment was very mild compared to the first, seems the first week of treatment got most of it.
Have to avoid the sun and cover up when outside when doing the treatment. Can use a skin cream like Aquaphor to help with the discomfort when the skin starts peeling.

 

[Koolau]

Way better than surgery but kinda unpleasant and it takes a few weeks for the whole process. Plus you look like you have some serious skin disease. I wouldn't be surprised if people avoid you because of the way you look.

Having said that, I'd do it again if my skin doc recommended it. Good luck!

 

[CDRE]

Fluorouracil has the nick name "Mean Cream". The best time is when you can completely avoid exposure to the sun. It make your skin tender with discomfort. My dermatologist warned me with a bit of a challenge that I may have to terminate the treatment a bit early due to the side affects.

 

[misanman]

Thanks, everyone, for the replies. I'm not looking forward to the treatment but realize it will be for the best. We have some near-term travel planned so I'm thinking I will start November 3rd. That should avoid most sun exposure and allow for healing before the Christmas Holidays. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[38Chevy454]

I've used it and similar to previous replies. Makes the area you put the cream red and flaky. Not really any pain, just tender.

Now dermatologist has me do the blue light therapy. Officially called PDT photo dynamic therapy. Which is supposed to kill off the precancerous cells. The PDT makes it like a bad sunburn on face and head for few days. I guess it beats surgical treatment.

 

[pacergal]

Yes, was prescribed fluoruracil cream to kill precancerous and cancerous areas so surgical removal was not needed. It worked great since I avoided Mohs surgery! It took about 1-2 months for the areas that had cancer to totally dry up, turn dark (think scabby), flake off, and return to normal color and appearance.

This was my Fathers experience also.
He did have a few MOHs surgeries, too.

 

[camfused]

I have had about 10 MOHs, so use the cream twice a year to try to prevent more. I believe skin cancer will be what puts me 6 ft under some day.

 

[Aerides]

I used it for 2 weeks as prescribed, and then visited my Derm Doc and she said, maybe 2 more weeks? I was like... um I read about this stuff and I'm going on a cruise in a month so how about not.

She said ok, but be prepared to redo later if needed. My skin was still quite dark pink in that area a month later, and I could still see it was pinker than the rest for about 3 months. Still, the issue hasn't come back so I'm ok for now.

 

[5Miler]

I had 2 MOHs procedures on my nose 3 years ago and a regular type surgery on my shoulder this August for skin cancer. When the VA Dermatologist did my biopsies on my shoulder in May, I was prescribed fluorouracil and calcipotriene to use on the tops of my ears as she was noticing some suspicious areas there. The treatment was supposed to be twice a day for 5 days. I did them one ear at a time as I saw videos of the responses people had and didn't want to have trouble sleeping if both ears were torn up at the same time. I had enough issues as the biopsies were on both shoulders and took forever to hear.

One the first ear I did, I followed the instructions explicitly yet didn't really get any reaction that showed up on my ear. So, a week later I did the other ear and actually really laid it on thick and extended the time to 7 days. Still no reaction noticed although both ears got really smooth and soft. I took it as a good sign so went with it.

 

[Fotodog]

I did the treatment in February this year. Mine was once at night for 4 weeks. Different doctors seem to prefer different applications. Like others, lots of redness and some discomfort but not too bad. And the results were outstanding, my skin looks much better now. He also highly recommended that I take Nicotinamide daily, citing tests that it helps reduce incidences of future cancers without any side effects. I was reluctant at first because I don’t like taking too many pills, but I now take it daily. I wonder if any other people here also take it?

 

[Koolau]

I have had about 10 MOHs, so use the cream twice a year to try to prevent more. I believe skin cancer will be what puts me 6 ft under some day.

Now that you and your doctor know to look for it, you're likely to stay on the right side of the grass for quite some time (Let's all pray you don't run out of skin in the mean time. )

DW has had one MOHs and looks like another will need to be done soon. She's fortunate that it left very little scarring - probably because she sees the dermatologist twice a year. Best luck.

 

[reneeh63]

I did the treatment in February this year. Mine was once at night for 4 weeks. Different doctors seem to prefer different applications. Like others, lots of redness and some discomfort but not too bad. And the results were outstanding, my skin looks much better now. He also highly recommended that I take Nicotinamide daily, citing tests that it helps reduce incidences of future cancers without any side effects. I was reluctant at first because I don’t like taking too many pills, but I now take it daily. I wonder if any other people here also take it?

I've been considering it but I was reading it was preferred to take it twice daily and they're huge. I already take AREDS-2 which are big, and twice a day so I'm balking a bit.

 

[latexman]

He also highly recommended that I take Nicotinamide daily, citing tests that it helps reduce incidences of future cancers without any side effects. I was reluctant at first because I don’t like taking too many pills, but I now take it daily. I wonder if any other people here also take it?

I do. I’ve been taking it for a few years. It really reduced the occurrences of skin cancer on me. And, it’s cheap! I buy it on Amazon.

 

[camfused]

I too have been taking the Nicotinamide pills for about 4 years now. Actually have not had a MOHs since then.

 

[Fotodog]

Good to hear that some of you are taking Nicotinamide and feel like it helps.

 

[Koolau]

I've been considering it but I was reading it was preferred to take it twice daily and they're huge. I already take AREDS-2 which are big, and twice a day so I'm balking a bit.

Has anyone had intestinal issues with that much nicotinamide?

 

[latexman]

Has anyone had intestinal issues with that much nicotinamide?

None, no side affects at all for me.

 

[RetireBy90]

Just started a 2 times a day 4-6 week on fluoruracil. I read some had burning sensation so I'm prepared for that. No travel planned until Thanksgiving.

 

[latexman]

I just started fluoruracil 2 times a day for 7-10 days on my ears. No travel planned until after New Years.

 

[RetireBy90]

So I haven’t done much research on it, why concern about travel?

 

[KT1R]

My dermatologist has given me a prescription for fluoruracil cream to be used on my face as a treatment for actinic keratosis.

I haven't used it yet and I'm trying to identify a time period where it would be least disruptive. Is there anyone out there that has used it? How did it go and what might I expect?

How long before the skin returns to more-or-less normal?

It works GREAT. At the end of 5--6 weeks when I stop it, another week or two and redness is gone, then I have baby skin. It is itchy and sore for a while, but worth it.

 

[Lee94joyce]

Do it when you can avoid the sun....like the winter months. It's not that bad.