Topical Fluorouracil Therapy for Basal Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Basal cell carcinoma is a nonmelanoma skin cancer and is the commonest malignancy of the skin. It accounts for approximately 80% of all skin cancers and is encountered frequently in daily clinical practice. The nonsurgical methods in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma gain more and more attention due to the increasing incidence of the tumor and the aging population. The authors hereby summarize the therapeutic place of topical 5-fluorouracil in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma. They review the mechanism, effectiveness of the therapeutic agent, how it should be applied by the patient, and the possible side effects. The chapter is also illustrated with cases.