Topical chemotherapy is an alternative for those who have been diagnosed with basal and squamous cell skin cancer. This is a viable option if the cancer has not spread beyond the surface of the skin. When skin cancer spreads to other organs or the lymph nodes, other treatment options are necessary.
How Topical Chemotherapy Works to Treat Skin Cancer
When topical chemotherapy is prescribed it is applied directly to the site of the skin cancer. It can be applied by a certified dermatologist. It comes in the form of an ointment, gel, or cream. Drugs include 5-fluorouracil, Diclofenac, and Ingenol mebutate. Topical chemotherapy offers several advantages. It treats the area of concern directly and is 85% effective in destroying skin cancer cells or stopping their growth. The side effects are not as severe as those that are caused by other forms of chemotherapy.
Side Effects of Topical Chemotherapy as Explained by our Orange County Dermatologists
While topical chemotherapy does offer benefits to patients, there are potential side effects. It tends to make the skin extremely sensitive to sunlight. It also becomes red and irritated. The area that has been treated can be quite painful. Individuals who have already been treated with other forms of chemotherapy or radiation may have a reaction to various forms of topical chemotherapy.
In rare cases, patients have DPD deficiency and cannot eliminate 5-fluorouracil from their bodies. As a result, they may have sores in their mouth, diarrhea, a lowered blood cell count, and feel ill. Patients may be more prone to infection after being treated with topical chemotherapy. An allergic reaction that causes a rash or hives is also possible. Other medications can be used to lessen the side effects of topical chemotherapy.
Patients should discuss any side effects with their dermatologist in order to improve their sense of well-being while they are treat