5% 5-Fluorouracil cream for the treatment of small superficial basal cell carcinoma: Efficacy, tolerability, cosmetic outcome, and patient satisfaction

BACKGROUND: Five percent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) cream is approved by the FDA for the treatment of superficial basal cell carcinomas but has been underutilized. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to evaluate the efficacy, tolerability, cosmetic outcome, and patient satisfaction of 5% 5-FU in the treatment of superficial basal cell carcinomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 29 patients with 31 biopsy-proven superficial basal cell carcinoma lesions on the trunk or limbs were treated with 5% 5-FU cream twice daily for up to 12 weeks. Treatment could be stopped sooner if the lesion was clinically resolved. The lesional site was surgically excised 3 weeks after the end of treatment for histologic evaluation of cure. RESULTS: The histologic cure rate was 90% (28/31 lesions cured) and the mean time to clinical cure was 10.5 weeks. 5-FU was generally well tolerated with a good cosmetic outcome - the majority of patients had no pain or scarring and only mild erythema. Patients were generally very satisfied with their treatment. CONCLUSION: Five percent 5-FU is a highly effective and well-tolerated treatment option for superficial basal cell carcinomas offering a generally good cosmetic outcome and high levels of patient satisfaction.