Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesHow It WorksEffectivenessHow to UseSide EffectsContraindicationsFAQ
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses
How It Works
Effectiveness
How to Use
Side Effects
Contraindications
FAQ
Topical cream is a standard treatment forbasal cell carcinoma, the most common type ofskin cancerworldwide. If your healthcare provider has prescribed the topical medicationEfudex(fluorouracil) for your skin cancer treatment, it’s crucial to ensure you are using it safely and effectively.
This article explains Efudex’s uses, side effects, and contraindications.
Verywell / Cindy Chung
When Is Efudex Needed?
Efudex is a topical cream used to treat superficialbasal cell carcinomawhen conventional methods are impractical.
Situations in which Efudex might be appropriate include:
Treating actinic keratosis, also called solar keratosis, is important because it can lead to more severe and invasivesquamous cell carcinomaif left untreated.
Fluorouracil also treats breast, colon, rectal, stomach, pancreatic, andesophageal cancersin its more potent injectable form.
How do you know when fluorouracil is no longer needed?Keep using fluorouracil until the lesion starts to peel off. This typically takes about two to three weeks for the face, and four to six weeks for the scalp, arms, and legs.If the lesion does not begin to peel away within these timelines, contact your healthcare provider.
How do you know when fluorouracil is no longer needed?
Keep using fluorouracil until the lesion starts to peel off. This typically takes about two to three weeks for the face, and four to six weeks for the scalp, arms, and legs.If the lesion does not begin to peel away within these timelines, contact your healthcare provider.
Ranking Actinic Keratosis Treatments: What Works Best?
How Efudex Works
Efudex is achemotherapydrug. Specifically, it is anantimetabolitethat inhibits a chemical in metabolism.
Efudex interferes with the formation ofDNAand RNA molecules, which are essential for cell division and growth.This inhibition results in the death of quickly growing cancerous cells, which absorb more fluorouracil than healthy cells.
Since Efudex stops cells from growing, it can change the skin’s appearance where it is applied. These skin changes may be notable during therapy and for several weeks after.
How Effective Is Efudex?
The success rate of treating basal cell carcinoma with fluorouracil is approximately 80% to 90%.Efudex cream achieves success rates similar toAldara (imiquimod), another topical cream used for treating skin cancer.
However, a 2016 review suggests that Efudex is best for treating superficial lesions only, unlike imiquimod.That’s because while it is successful in treating surface lesions, it can allow tumors to continue to grow beneath the skin.
Notably, the same review reports that recurrence rates drop to 6% when doctors first performcurettage(scraping away the growth).
One of the benefits of Efudex is that, unlike surgery, it is not likely to leave scars or permanently discolor patches of skin. That said, isolated, easily accessible basal cell carcinomas should be treated with surgery since surgical success with such lesions is almost 100%.
Talk to your healthcare provider about which treatment is best for you.
How to Use Efudex
For basal cell carcinoma,dermatologistsusually recommend applying 5% fluorouracil cream in an amount sufficient to cover the lesions two times per day for three to six weeks. However, sometimes therapy lasts as long as 10 to 12 weeks before the lesions disappear.
Symptoms of Skin Cancer
Specific side effects that usually do not require medical attention include:
Of course, report any side effects to a healthcare professional if they persist or are bothersome. If you experience more serious side effects, inform your healthcare provider as soon as possible. These include:
Safety TipAvoid sunlight as much as possible while using Efudex since it may increase your side effects. If exposed to the sun, wear a hat and use sunscreen.
Safety Tip
Avoid sunlight as much as possible while using Efudex since it may increase your side effects. If exposed to the sun, wear a hat and use sunscreen.
You should not use Efudex cream should in some situations, including:
How Skin Cancer Is Treated
Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn MoreWhen to Use Hydrocortisone
Yes. In fact, fluorouracil treatment is most successful when used on the face and scalp.Typically, it’s rubbed into the skin once or twice a day for several weeks. In some cases, there may be a break in treatment. You will stop taking it and restart a few weeks later.Learn More20 Types of Skin Lesions
Yes. In fact, fluorouracil treatment is most successful when used on the face and scalp.Typically, it’s rubbed into the skin once or twice a day for several weeks. In some cases, there may be a break in treatment. You will stop taking it and restart a few weeks later.
Learn More20 Types of Skin Lesions
Yes. Efudex is an antimetabolite, a type of chemotherapy drug that stops cells' DNA from copying itself so cancer cells cannot reproduce. They’re used to treat leukemias, cancers of the breast, ovary, and the intestinal tract, as well as other types of cancer.Learn MoreDifferent Types of Chemotherapy
Yes. Efudex is an antimetabolite, a type of chemotherapy drug that stops cells' DNA from copying itself so cancer cells cannot reproduce. They’re used to treat leukemias, cancers of the breast, ovary, and the intestinal tract, as well as other types of cancer.
Learn MoreDifferent Types of Chemotherapy
Skin Cancer Doctor Discussion GuideGet our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.Download PDFEmail AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
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11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Gutzmer R, Wiegand S, Kölbl O, Wermker K, Heppt M, Berking C.Actinic keratosis and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.Dtsch Artzebl Int. 2019 Sep;116(37):616-626. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2019.0616Food and Drug Administration.Fluorouracil highlights of prescribing information.Kaiser Permanente.Efudex (5-fluorouracil, 5-U).U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Efudex Prescribing Information. Valeant Pharmaceuticals.Lanoue J, Goldenberg G.Basal cell carcinoma: A comprehensive review of existing and emerging nonsurgical therapies.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2016;9(5):26–36.Kaiser Permanente.Fluorouracil topical.Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Fluorouracil (topical).American Cancer Society.Local treatments other than surgery for basal and squamous cell skin cancers.University of Mississippi Medical Center.Efudex.West DA, Aires DJ.Treatment of actinic keratoses with topical fluorouracil.AFP. 2010;81(10):1186.American Cancer Society.How Chemotherapy Drugs Work.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Gutzmer R, Wiegand S, Kölbl O, Wermker K, Heppt M, Berking C.Actinic keratosis and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.Dtsch Artzebl Int. 2019 Sep;116(37):616-626. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2019.0616Food and Drug Administration.Fluorouracil highlights of prescribing information.Kaiser Permanente.Efudex (5-fluorouracil, 5-U).U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Efudex Prescribing Information. Valeant Pharmaceuticals.Lanoue J, Goldenberg G.Basal cell carcinoma: A comprehensive review of existing and emerging nonsurgical therapies.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2016;9(5):26–36.Kaiser Permanente.Fluorouracil topical.Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Fluorouracil (topical).American Cancer Society.Local treatments other than surgery for basal and squamous cell skin cancers.University of Mississippi Medical Center.Efudex.West DA, Aires DJ.Treatment of actinic keratoses with topical fluorouracil.AFP. 2010;81(10):1186.American Cancer Society.How Chemotherapy Drugs Work.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Gutzmer R, Wiegand S, Kölbl O, Wermker K, Heppt M, Berking C.Actinic keratosis and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.Dtsch Artzebl Int. 2019 Sep;116(37):616-626. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2019.0616Food and Drug Administration.Fluorouracil highlights of prescribing information.Kaiser Permanente.Efudex (5-fluorouracil, 5-U).U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Efudex Prescribing Information. Valeant Pharmaceuticals.Lanoue J, Goldenberg G.Basal cell carcinoma: A comprehensive review of existing and emerging nonsurgical therapies.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2016;9(5):26–36.Kaiser Permanente.Fluorouracil topical.Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Fluorouracil (topical).American Cancer Society.Local treatments other than surgery for basal and squamous cell skin cancers.University of Mississippi Medical Center.Efudex.West DA, Aires DJ.Treatment of actinic keratoses with topical fluorouracil.AFP. 2010;81(10):1186.American Cancer Society.How Chemotherapy Drugs Work.
Gutzmer R, Wiegand S, Kölbl O, Wermker K, Heppt M, Berking C.Actinic keratosis and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.Dtsch Artzebl Int. 2019 Sep;116(37):616-626. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2019.0616
Food and Drug Administration.Fluorouracil highlights of prescribing information.
Kaiser Permanente.Efudex (5-fluorouracil, 5-U).
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Efudex Prescribing Information. Valeant Pharmaceuticals.
Lanoue J, Goldenberg G.Basal cell carcinoma: A comprehensive review of existing and emerging nonsurgical therapies.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2016;9(5):26–36.
Kaiser Permanente.Fluorouracil topical.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Fluorouracil (topical).
American Cancer Society.Local treatments other than surgery for basal and squamous cell skin cancers.
University of Mississippi Medical Center.Efudex.
West DA, Aires DJ.Treatment of actinic keratoses with topical fluorouracil.AFP. 2010;81(10):1186.
American Cancer Society.How Chemotherapy Drugs Work.
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