Health Information
Fluorouracil (5-FU) for Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer
How It Works
Fluorouracil (5-FU) is an anticancer medicine that works by slowing or stopping cell growth. The medicine interferes with the ability of abnormal cells to grow on the skin's top layer.
5-FU is usually applied once or twice daily for several weeks. It works by causing a painful irritation in Reference actinic keratosis Opens New Window or a skin cancer. Successful treatment results in the specific areas of diseased skin becoming inflamed and crusting as the abnormal cells die.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: October 2, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Reference Amy McMichael, MD - Dermatology |
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