Fluorouracil ?

[Patrick]

Anyone ever used this stuff [5%] to burn off some almost skin cancer ? What were the results ?

[Jersey mike]

Anyone ever used this stuff [5%] to burn off some almost skin cancer ? What were the results ?

My father-in-law had skin cancer on his forehead we were treating with a cream but my wife isn’t sure if the Fluorouracil is the same medication. She said there may be a box in the house somewhere, I’ll look later.

I do know the cream we were using would work for a period of time, reduce the area to barely a tiny scab but when we stopped it would return very quickly.

We could not bring him for more aggressive treatment because he was constantly picking at his skin and a bandage or bandaids would be removed within hours.

Sorry wish I’m old be more certain and help.

[WoodyFL]

I've used it several times. It helps with the pre-cancerous lesions so that you won't have to get so many frozen off later.

[Jess from VA]

Yes, twice to chemical peel off actinic keratosis all over my bald head (and a couple spots down in my hair, and on top of my ears, aggravated by eyeglass wear).  

(They like to call actinic keratosis, pre cancer to scare you, but I don't think there is much real cancer risk... though it gets pretty bad untreated.)

It works well if you follow the whole course, but it takes a few weeks, and it is a messy process.  

Twice daily, thin coat, and it begins to draw the sun damage out of and keratosis hard scabbing off your head.  I got weeping and blood (not terrible, but you look like an escapee from a leper colony, depending on how much keratosis you have)(wear hats to go out, which you should already be doing).  At the end of a 12 hr course, I'd aggressively scrub off the goopy mess, pat dry and reapply.  Wash it off your hands (I didn't use or need a nitrile glove).  First thing in the morning, and then early evening, to have it a bit drier when going to bed.

The problem was night time sleeping, I ruined some pillow cases (use crummy ones, and wash them often).  The first time this did not happen, but the second time I transferred the fluorouracil (topical chemo) to my face rolling around on the pillow at night, and it started to draw the sun damage from my face (which also has lifetime sun damage, but no keratosis), and it got on my eyelids and caused a lot of irritation.  The dermatologist told me it only works on the keratosis, not on your eyes, but it bothered me enough to quit early last time, and I need to do another course (I'll wait to winter).  I decided next time to buy one of those swimmer's stretchy skull caps to sleep in overnight to keep the stuff off my face and eyelids at night.  It may impede the process a bit, I dunno, but I can't have that crap on my face and eyes again.

It looks bad during the process, but when the whole course is done, you have pretty nice clear skin (for the first time in many years for me).  But mine is going to come back (not a perfect cure) after a few years, and I'll have to repeat.

In a related manner, I also have lots of sun damage on my forearms, with lots of age spots and old dried skin with regular breaks in the skin.  I'd already had squamous or basil cell spots cut off me, so I had the dermatologist look at it.  He told me none of that was cancer, just old thin skin showing wear and tear.  But I must keep them out of the sun forever (no short sleeve Ts outside anymore).  And now I grease them up good with moisturizer/hand creme after every single shower (face and neck too).  And it looks (and feels) much better, but will never go away.  (I read that allowing old skin to dry out untreated can result in bad things breaking off in your blood stream and going everywhere, and regular moisturizing prevents that.)

Just another in a long list of crap that old folks get to deal with (though better than the long dirt nap alternative).  

[0leman]

Yes I have.   Due to too many days in the sun and at higher elevation without sun cream when younger, I have had issues.    Like Jess said, it is not pretty/messy and really looks like you tangled with cat or something.   Follow the instructions and go the course.  Thankfully most of mine have been on my arms, so could cover them up.   Since i wore a hat most of the time when working out side head seems to have only had a spot or two.

I have had two spots on my arms removed over the last several years,   one was cancerous and one was not.   This stuff seems to keep the keratosis from developing into cancer.    I also have what is called a "Blue Light" treatment to help rid my skin of those spots.  Not sure that work, hard to tell.

Again do what the Doc says and use it.

[Wizzard]

I have used it many times. If you follow as directed it works well and you look like a leper for awhile but when it all heals up its like new skin. I think it works well and I do not have to keep getting stuff froze off.  

Getting real pricey last time I got some

[Jess from VA]

Getting real pricey last time I got some

Yeah, on price, it was pretty steep last time.  Then I showed them my BC/BS Basic card (Federal) (some, but not real big prescription coverage at all), and it was like $12.  YMMV

I use no prescriptions regularly, but it seems some stores/pharmacies gouge the heck out of you and others don't.

[Valkorado]

Thanks for this, I need to discuss with my doc and try to twist his arm for an Rx.  Hopefully he won't give me the run-around/referral to a dermatologist as we don't have a local one and I really don't like the idea of prolonged visits -- one introductory, another testing and diagnostic, another procedural, several follow-up, etc..

Grew up here in the radiant high altitude sun and was a swimmer, skier, flagger, motorcyclist and general outdoor enthusiast before I knew what sunscreen was.  Was a red-headed, freckle-faced boy.  I can remember the water blisters that would appear on my shoulders following a shirtless day rollicking in the sunshine.  Mom would pull out a sewing needle and pop 'em, squeezing out the clear liquid.  

I'm seeing the results springing up my face, arms, shoulders and back.  My dad went in pretty often in his later years to have spots burnt off.  Looks like my genetics and lifestyle got to me too.  

[Black Dog]

I have had four basal cell carcinomas removed from my face in the past 4 years. (Lifeguard for 5 years, back in the 'Coppertone oil' days, and close to 200K miles on MC's In my 64 years)

I see my skin doctor at least every six months, and when we can't do what he wants to do with the little freezy squirt gun, he prescribed me the Flurocyl. At the time he prescribed it, he warned me the brand name was pricey. He told me that when I picked up my prescription if it was crazy expensive, to let him know and he would okay the generic.

I used the brand-name drug once, and the generic equivalent once. Both worked equally as well, my face look like I had a terrible sunburn anywhere there were pre-cancerous cells.

The fact that I have had four separate carcinomas removed, shows how badly I have been burned in the past. I think the floracil has done some good, to prevent small issues from becoming surgically-repaired issues.

Black Dog

[Wizzard]

I go to my skin doctor once a year. At high risk since I am a redhead. I have had no less than 14 spots removed that were all either basal or squamous cell. I have also had Moh's surgery twice since they were not able to identify how far out it went under my skin. All this damage came from growing up on a farm in the 60's and not using sunscreen. Cannot tell you how many times I got blistered. My whole back would be completely covered in blisters. So far I am able to stay ahead of the stuff but who knows. I just do what the doc says and life goes on.

[Patrick]

OK thanks fellas.

I was told after the treatments almost 4 years ago, sunscreen, big hats, no sun are the new way of life. That was a deal breaker for me. So now I'm paying for it. Thats OK.

This damage is on the face, [temples, nose]. After 3 weeks is looks like hell. Surprisingly most folks know what it is. Today is the first day of the Aquafor. [sp] I should have saved the jar of it from after the treatments 4 years ago for the throat radiation burns.

But the price wasn't bad. Flourourocil was less than $3.00 and the Aquifor was $7.00. [ insurance]

[Patrick]

The Aquaphor really works.

[0leman]

Getting real pricey last time I got some

Yeah, on price, it was pretty steep last time.  Then I showed them my BC/BS Basic card (Federal) (some, but not real big prescription coverage at all), and it was like $12.  YMMV

I use no prescriptions regularly, but it seems some stores/pharmacies gouge the heck out of you and others don't.

I still have Gov insurance (wow 11 years since retired), didn't pay a dime for the stuff.  Lady at the RX counter said she had just gone thru a series of the stuff and for her it was still really expensive.

OK thanks fellas.

I was told after the treatments almost 4 years ago, sunscreen, big hats, no sun are the new way of life. That was a deal breaker for me. So now I'm paying for it. Thats OK.
. [ insurance]

I have been living in long sleeves, long pants, and full brim hat for over 12 years.   It was a problem  at first but but getting use to it.   I even wear these clothes when kayaking with the kids.   

[Jess from VA]

I have been living in long sleeves, long pants, and full brim hat for over 12 years.   It was a problem  at first but but getting use to it.   I even wear these clothes when kayaking with the kids.  

I've had chunks cut off my face, neck and arm, and chronic dermatitis of my bald head for 20 years, and spotted up like a leopard (in the exposed areas).  Overall, it has not been all that bad.  They took half my dad's ear off and much larger chunks from his face than mine.

BUT what will give you the creepy crawlies and make you think hard about your personal sun exposure is to go sit in some big dermatology (and/or MOHS) clinic waiting rooms, and look at some of the far worse cases (sitting right across from you).  People that look like they were subject to Dr Frankenstein's house of horrors.  Noses almost gone, and one guy with a 4 inch volcano growing right up out of his bald head.  It was like driving by a gruesome car accident with bloody bodies laid out.  You don't want to look, but you are compelled to look.

Holy Crap I don't want to be THAT guy.  So you take precautions.... and better late than never.

I am overly Caucasian, and the sun is not my friend.  (it never was, but who knew?)

[Tundra]

I use Sloraze gel (Diclofenac Sodium)  for actinic keratosis. Also have had several different types of skin cancer removed surgically and the freeze off the face. Pricey, works well temporarily. Always returns for me. I'm told if the Doc codes it properly you can get an affordable price as a "non-Insured" Even with my insurance it was over $100 bucks for a small tube half the size of a tube of toothpaste. Non insured coded properly is next to nothing "non-Insured" rate. Go figure? I always do things right and play by the rules and pay through the nose.

(Jess from VA...I am overly Caucasian, and the sun is not my friend.) LOL

[Wizzard]

I have been living in long sleeves, long pants, and full brim hat for over 12 years.   It was a problem  at first but but getting use to it.   I even wear these clothes when kayaking with the kids.  

I've had chunks cut off my face, neck and arm, and chronic dermatitis of my bald head for 20 years, and spotted up like a leopard (in the exposed areas).  Overall, it has not been all that bad.  They took half my dad's ear off and much larger chunks from his face than mine.

BUT what will give you the creepy crawlies and make you think hard about your personal sun exposure is to go sit in some big dermatology (and/or MOHS) clinic waiting rooms, and look at some of the far worse cases (sitting right across from you).  People that look like they were subject to Dr Frankenstein's house of horrors.  Noses almost gone, and one guy with a 4 inch volcano growing right up out of his bald head.  It was like driving by a gruesome car accident with bloody bodies laid out.  You don't want to look, but you are compelled to look.

Holy Crap I don't want to be THAT guy.  So you take precautions.... and better late than never.

I am overly Caucasian, and the sun is not my friend.  (it never was, but who knew?)

Yep that would be me too,
If you get Moh's surgery they take off a chunk then put a temp bandage on it and you go sit in a waiting room while they analyze what they took off and make sure the edges are healthy tissue. If no then they bring you back and take off more and so on. In between those you are sitting in a waiting room with others who to varying degrees have had the same thing done. Everyone is sitting there with a chunk missing and bloody bandage to see if the news is good or bad.   Kind of sobering.

[Patrick]

Geeez, I guess I better pay attention, start listening and doing what I've been and am being told. I'm going to get some more floppy fishing hats !

[Jess from VA]

Geeez, I guess I better pay attention, start listening and doing what I've been and am being told. I'm going to get some more floppy fishing hats !

This is my daily go to hat (unless it's cold) for many years.  The desert tan is best for hot sun (and the most subdued camo).  I like boonie hats, but not with the slotted bands around them (plain better).  The poly-cotton holds a shape, unlike pure ripstop which is always floppy (and I like a shape).  You shorten up the chin strap and always wear it behind your head (unless there's a tornado).  (Or in plain khaki if you can find them)

https://militaryuniformsupply.com/products/rothco-poly-cotton-rip-stop-boonie-hat?variant=34855683588245&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&cid=1896573835&aid=71700948178&keyword=296303633664%3A%3Apla-296303633664&kid=296303633664&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhdzk5vvP6gIVHwiICR3pyAn9EAQYBiABEgKpRfD_BwE

https://armysurpluswarehouselexington.com/product/3-color-desert-boonie-hat/

[Patrick]

Geeez, I guess I better pay attention, start listening and doing what I've been and am being told. I'm going to get some more floppy fishing hats !

This is my daily go to hat (unless it's cold) for many years.  The desert tan is best for hot sun (and the most subdued camo).  I like boonie hats, but not with the slotted bands around them (plain better).  The poly-cotton holds a shape, unlike pure ripstop which is always floppy (and I like a shape).  You shorten up the chin strap and always wear it behind your head (unless there's a tornado).  (Or in plain khaki if you can find them)

https://militaryuniformsupply.com/products/rothco-poly-cotton-rip-stop-boonie-hat?variant=34855683588245&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&cid=1896573835&aid=71700948178&keyword=296303633664%3A%3Apla-296303633664&kid=296303633664&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhdzk5vvP6gIVHwiICR3pyAn9EAQYBiABEgKpRfD_BwE

https://armysurpluswarehouselexington.com/product/3-color-desert-boonie-hat/

Yep.

There is one I've seen advertised on TV. Can't remember the name of it though. There is something in it that takes water and is supposed to stay cool.  2 for $19.95, free shipping and all you have to do extra is pay a small separate fee for the second one.  . Heck of a deal !

[pais]

Yep that would be me too,
If you get Moh's surgery they take off a chunk then put a temp bandage on it and you go sit in a waiting room while they analyze what they took off and make sure the edges are healthy tissue. If no then they bring you back and take off more and so on. In between those you are sitting in a waiting room with others who to varying degrees have had the same thing done. Everyone is sitting there with a chunk missing and bloody bandage to see if the news is good or bad.   Kind of sobering.
[/quote]

This is me today @ 08:30. Couple spots on right side of lower temple / upper cheek and scalp. Both were around for 9-12 months. Kind of like a scab that would never heal and somewhat sensitive. Wife is the one that prompted me to make an appt. Never a fan of sunscreen / lotion. Have worked outdoors most of my life until the last 10 months. See what happens here in a short while.