Topical chemotherapy creams can be an effective treatment option for some forms of skin cancers. If you have a non-melanoma cancer that is confined to the upper-most layer of the skin, this form of treatment may be a good choice for you.
What you should know about topical chemotherapy creams
There are currently two FDA-approved topical chemotherapy creams. Imiquimod works by stimulating the immune system to make interferon, which attacks cancerous and pre-cancerous cells. 5-fluorouracil is a topical form of chemotherapy that is toxic to cancerous cells.
Topical chemotherapy creams are usually prescribed to be applied at home. Your physician will give you instructions on how often to apply the cream. Some medications, like 5FU, are applied twice a day for six to twelve weeks.
Topical chemotherapy is used to treat non-melanoma skin cancer. It is most often used as a treatment for basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and actinic keratosis. Both imiquimod and 5-fluorouracil (5FU) have been FDA-approved to treat some types of superficial BCC and actinic keratosis. If you have a more aggressive skin cancer, including invasive squamous cell carcinoma, other treatment options should be explored instead. You can discuss other treatment options with your dermatologist.
Are there any side effects to this treatment for skin cancer?
Chemotherapy creams can cause some side effects, most notably inflammation, redness or intense skin irritation. These side effects can be reduced by cycling the treatment, or applying it twice a day for a specific period of time, stopping for a set period of time, and then resuming treatment. Sun exposure can worsen inflammation, so your dermatologist will likely recommend that you avoid sun exposure and protect the area until it heals.