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The topical use of 5‐fluorouracil in the ear in the management of cholesteatoma and excessive mucous secretion
Author(s) -
Smith Mansfield F. W.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1288/00005537-198510000-00010
Subject(s) - cholesteatoma , fluorouracil , medicine , middle ear , mucus , ear canal , dermatology , surgery , pathology , chemotherapy , biology , radiology , ecology
5‐Fluorouracil was introduced in the early 1960s as a topical chemotherapeutic agent and has become increasingly accepted because of its efficacy, economy, and relative absence of side effects in treating many pre‐cancerous conditions, certain benign and malignant tumors, and dermatoses. This paper addresses the use of topical 5‐fluorouracil in the management of cholesteatoma and unwanted mucus‐secreting cells. A retrospective study has suggested a very impressive efficacy of topical 5‐fluorouracil in the management of cholesteatoma and, to a lesser degree, control of hyper‐mucus‐secreting cells at locations in the middle ear and mastoid. The use of topical 5‐fluorouracil in the management of hyperkeratosis, cholesteatoma in the middle ear and mastoid, and in the external canal has been almost 100% effective with very few side effects. In the management of hyper‐mucous‐secreting cells, 5‐fluorouracil has a success rate of approximately 50%.