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A role for topical 5‐fluorouracil therapy in melanoma
Author(s) -
Ryan Robert F.,
Krementz Edward T.,
Litwin Martin S.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/jso.2930380409
Subject(s) - medicine , lentigo maligna , lentigo maligna melanoma , melanoma , dermatology , fluorouracil , dysplasia , imiquimod , chemotherapy , pathology , surgery , cancer research
Topical 5‐fluorouracil (Efudex®) has been shown to be of great value in the treatment of skin cancers, Marjolin ulcers, and advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth and esophagus. It has been advocated for use on patients with melanocytic dysplasia and lentigo maligna melanoma. This report confirms the use of topical 5‐FU for lentigo maligna melanoma and melanocytic dysplasia. In melanomas with poor prognosis, preoperative treatment with topical 5‐FU converts the cellular infiltrate from acute inflammatory cells to round cells which have been shown to be T‐cells. We believe this preoperative stimulation of the patients' own immune reaction to the tumor may be of great significance in improving the surgical results for melanomas with a poor prognosis.