Debulking followed by intralesional 5‐fluorouracil for the treatment of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and keratoacanthoma: A retrospective analysis. Issue 6 (3rd October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hamad, Judy; Jolly, Puneet S.
• Is Part Of: Dermatologic therapy. Volume 34:Issue 6(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-10-03
• Subjects: 5‐fluorouracil -- intralesional therapy -- keratinocyte carcinoma -- keratoacanthoma -- nonsurgical -- squamous cell carcinoma; Skin -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Dermatology -- Periodicals; 616.5
• DOI: 10.1111/dth.15139
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1396-0296

Abstract

Abstract: Debulking followed by intralesional 5‐fluorouracil (deb‐IL5FU) is a nonsurgical modality which has been used to treat skin cancer anecdotally for many years. There are few in depth studies examining this technique and success rate of intralesional 5‐fluorouracil (IL5FU) for the treatment of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). To evaluate the response rate of deb‐IL5FU for the treatment of cSCC and to determine which patient factors were associated with tumor clearance or treatment failure. A retrospective chart analysis of patients with the diagnosis of cSCC or keratoacanthoma (KA) and subsequent deb‐IL5FU treatment. Sixty‐one patients with a total of 315 tumors (cSCC and KA), were treated using deb‐IL5FU. The overall tumor clearance rate was 89%. This was highest for well‐differentiated SCC, SCC, KA‐type SCC, and KA. Tumors on the trunk and extremities showed high clearance rates while tumors on the scalp/face/neck/ears showed lower clearance rates. Immunocompetent patients cleared more tumors compared to immunocompromised patients. Limitations included the retrospective nature of this analysis as well as a small sample size. Treatment of cSCC and KA with deb‐IL5FU demonstrated high tumor clearance rates. Lower rates of clearance were seen in males, immunosuppressed patients, tumors located on the scalp and face/neck/ears.